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Photo by NASA
Our nearest star, Proxima Centauri only 4 light years away from us, has a planet that is in the habitable zone. Proxima Centauri B was discovered by scientist some years ago. They thought Proxima B could hold live because is in the habitable zone (a zone where a planet could have live if some requirements or conditions are met, like being at the right distance from its star).
These were very exciting news, a planet that relatively speaking is not too far away. Scientists were thinking of sending a spacecraft to take pictures of the planet as a possible habitable planet to visit or live on. The idea was thrilling, another planet, not too far away. It's true that it would have taken some time to get there. The spacecraft which they were thinking to send would have taken at least ninety years to arrive. If they ever carried it out, it would take generations to achieve.
However it is not sure, if they are interested any longer. In the latest observations they have noticed that an enormous flare sprang from the star in 2019, with what might be devastating consequences for Proxima Centauri B.
The red darf shone 14000 times brighter than its usual brightness. These also means that a lot of ultraviolet, radio and millimetre rays expanded from the star. With so much radiation the planet´s atmosphere would have burnt away. If there is still life in Proxima B, it will be very different to what we imagine.
It is a pity that the nearest habitable planet might no longer have life, and it might not be able to do so for a very long time.
What happened in Proxima Centauri is strange. A star that gives such an enormous flare is not common. Scientists keep investigating this abnormality and they are keeping watch on the star.
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