We have discovered over 5,000 planets outside our Solar System, and the closest of these is Proxima Centauri b, just over 4 light years away from us.
Discovered in 2016, it is slightly larger than Earth and is located in the habitable zone of its star, Proxima Centauri, where temperatures may be suitable for the presence of liquid water.
However, Proxima Centauri b is very different from Earth. First of all, it orbits very close to a “red dwarf” star that emits strong ultraviolet radiation and X-rays, which are dangerous for any potential life forms. Only a very strong magnetic field could protect it, and only partially, from this radiation.
Furthermore, it is possible that it rotates synchronously with the star, meaning that one side is always illuminated and the other is always dark, which leads to extreme temperature conditions. Only in the twilight zone between these areas could temperatures be suitable for the presence of liquid water.
Although Proxima Centauri b does not seem to be the best candidate for searching for extraterrestrial life forms, it is one of the planets with the highest similarity index to Earth known, so we are continuing to study it!
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