Proxima Centauri B is officially the exoplanet closest to our solar system

Proxima B is an exoplanet orbiting in the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our sun. Researchers from the University of Geneva confirmed its existence using the Espresso spectrograph in Chile. Proxima B is 1.17 times the mass of Earth and completes an orbit in 11.2 days. It receives similar energy from its sun, suggesting potential for life. However, its sun, an active red dwarf, bombards it with significantly more x-rays than Earth receives, posing challenges for habitability.

Which star does the exoplanet Proxima B orbit?

• Sirius

• Proxima Centauri

• Alpha Centauri

• Betelgeuse

What tool did researchers use to confirm the existence of Proxima B?

• James Webb Space Telescope

• Hubble Telescope

• Kepler Space Telescope

• Espresso Spectrograph

How does the mass of Proxima B compare to Earth?

• 2 times the mass of Earth

• 1.17 times the mass of Earth

• 0.5 times the mass of Earth

• 3 times the mass of Earth

What is the orbital period of Proxima B around its sun?

• 30 days

• 11.2 days

• 5.5 days

• 20 days

What challenge does Proxima B face due to its sun?

• Lack of sunlight

• Extreme cold temperatures

• High levels of X-ray radiation

• Frequent solar eclipses