According to scientists, Earth-like planets may exist near the binary star Alpha Centauri. Similar assumptions have been made before, but now researchers have new evidence.
The findings of scientists from Pennsylvania State University are available at arXiv.org. Alpha Centauri is a double star, located at a distance of 4.36 sv. of the year. This system is the closest to Earth. It consists of two main components: the stars α Centauri A and α Centauri B, which are similar in their characteristics to our Sun. Also, according to available calculations, the red dwarf Proxima Centauri is included in the system. It is believed that he can be located even closer to the luminary.
Photo: Wikipedia
Scientists have repeatedly spoken about the possibility of the existence of one or more planets in the system. Now American astronomers have found new evidence of this: they carried out computer simulations in the framework of the gravitational N-body problem, which is a classical problem of Newton's celestial mechanics and gravitational dynamics. According to calculations, there may be several Earth-like planets near the star α Centauri A, celestial bodies may also be present in the orbit of α Centauri B.
Importantly, exoplanets are included in the so-called. habitable zone: this means that they are located at such a distance from their star, at which, in theory, life is possible on them. It should be noted that the habitable zone varies greatly depending on the type of star. In the case of the Alpha Centauri system, the planets, according to the conclusions of the scientists, are at a distance of no more than two astronomical units.
Earlier, we recall that British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and billionaire Yuri Milner had a joint project involving the sending of miniature spacecraft to Alpha Centauri, which will develop a speed equal to 20% of the speed of light. Thus, these devices will be able to achieve the goal in about twenty years. The ideologists of the project hope to find life on hypothetical planets located near Alpha Centauri.
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