We investigate the possibility of detecting artificial lights from Proxima b’s dark side by computing light curves from the planet and its host star. The two different scenarios we consider […]
Proxima b
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Extinction events, Impact events, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
Risks For Life On Proxima b From Sterilizing Asteroid Impacts
We consider the implications that a debris belt located between Proxima b and Proxima c would pose for the rate of large asteroid impacts that could sterilize Proxima b from […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
Revisiting Proxima With ESPRESSO
We aim to confirm the presence of Proxima b using independent measurements obtained with the new ESPRESSO spectrograph, and refine the planetary parameters taking advantage of its improved precision. We […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
The UV Surface Habitability of Proxima b: First Experiments Revealing Probable Life Survival To Stellar Flares
We use a new interdisciplinary approach to study the UV surface habitability of Proxima b under quiescent and flaring stellar conditions. We assumed planetary atmospheric compositions based on CO2 and […]
Posted inPress Release, Proxima Centauri
Characterizing The Atmosphere Of Proxima b With A Space-based Mid-infrared Nulling Interferometer
Proxima b is our nearest potentially rocky exoplanet and represents a formidable opportunity for exoplanet science and possibly astrobiology. With an angular separation of only 35~mas (or 0.05~AU) from its […]
Posted inPress Release, Proxima Centauri
An Earth-like Atmosphere May Not Survive Proxima b's Orbit
Proxima b, an Earth-size planet right outside our solar system in the habitable zone of its star, may not be able to keep a grip on its atmosphere, leaving the […]
Posted inPress Release, Proxima Centauri
The Detectability of Radio Auroral Emission from Proxima B
Magnetically active stars possess stellar winds whose interaction with planetary magnetic fields produces radio auroral emission. We examine the detectability of radio auroral emission from Proxima b, the closest known […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
First Tentative Steps to Explore the Potential Climate of Proxima B
The quest to discover whether a planet orbiting our closest neighbouring star, Proxima Centauri (4.2 light years or 25 trillion miles from Earth), has the potential to support life has […]
Posted inPress Release, Proxima Centauri
Exploring the Climate of Proxima B With The Met Office Unified Model
We present results of simulations of the climate of the newly discovered planet Proxima Centauri B, performed using the Met Office Unified Model (UM). We examine the responses of both […]
Posted inPress Release, Proxima Centauri
On The Eccentricity of Proxima b
We apply Monte Carlo projection to the radial velocity data set that Anglada Escude et al. (2016) use for the discovery of Proxima b. They find an upper limit to […]