The nearest exoplanet to the Solar System, Proxima b, not only orbits the nearest star to the Sun, Proxima Centauri, but also it appears to be only a little more massive than the Earth, and it orbits in the liquid water Habitable Zone. What does that mean for the existence of alien life? Who knows; the jury is still out. In this episode of Science Violation, we have Dr. Mikko Tuomi on the show, discussing how Proxima b was discovered. Come and check out how this fascinating planetary system was revealed. Science Violation aims to correct the pop culture science wrongs, one video at a time. Movie corrections, TV Show deconstructions, and the sharing of new and exciting results in Astronomy and Astrophysics. We promote critical thinking and the pursuit of logic!!
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Further Reading
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Search for planets orbiting M stars by Tuomi et al. 2019:
Proxima b discovery paper by Anglada-Escude et al. 2016:
Proxima Centauri flare paper by Davenport et al. 2016:
Credits
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Solar spot images: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences - Göran Scharmer and Mats Löfdahl (sunspots) and NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams (coronal loops).
Solar plage image: Ben Cartwright SASS
Radial-velocity Video: ESO/L. Calçada
Pale Red Dot project:
ESO ELT video: ESO/ACe Consortium. Music: Johan B. Monell (www.johanmonell.com)
Breakthrough Starshot animation:
Proxima b video: Ricardo Ramirez, Universidad de Chile
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