How long would it take to get to the closest star from earth besides the sun?

Answer 1

if we travel at the speed of light, it would take approximately 4.2 years to travel to Proxima Centauri. Obviuosly, we can't reach that speed. Space Shuttles can reach a speed of 17,500 mph or 7823.2 m/s. With this speed, it would take 161059.4 yrs

Answer 2

Proximal Centauri is the closest star to Earth other than our sun, Following is an excerpt from Wikepedia:

Traveling to Proxima Centauri
Proxima Centauri has been suggested as a logical first destination for interstellar travel, although as a flare star it would not be particularly hospitable. The current standard spaceship, the Space Shuttle, travels in orbit at 7.8 km/s. At that speed, it would take 160,000 years to reach Proxima. The fastest man-made spacecraft, the Helios II deep space probe, has set a speed record of 70.2 km/s. Even at that speed, the journey to Proxima Centauri would take 18,000 years. The proposed VASIMR propulsion system, possibly able to achieve speeds up to 300 km/s, would shorten the journey to a "mere" 4,200 years —still firmly beyond the current lifespan of both man and machine. It follows that interstellar travel would require the concretization of radical ideas to become feasible, such as hypothetical generation ships, laser-pushed solar sails, nuclear fusion powered interstellar ramjets, nuclear pulse drives or warp drives

Answer 3

Realistically this would take about 16 years to get there (Proxima Centauri)and a little less to get back, but actually it would seem a little longer to the rest of the world. So about 40 years for a complete voyage, which is exactly why we won't go for at least 100 years. Out technology is changing to much to make a forty year trip anything but useless.

Answer 4

Travelling at .999999c we can travel one light year in about 12.5 hrs when time dilation is taken into account. So at that speed we can reach Proxima Centauri in a matter of days. Of course on earth about 9 years would have passed and fantastically advanced technology is needed to make that speed!!!

Answer 5

The average human brain cannot comprehend that distance,so here is a rough idea; if you traveled at 50,000 mph starting when you were a child,and traveled till you were 80,thn your children and your childrens children and their childrens children did the same thing you still would not be out of your front yard so to speak.Get the picture?

Answer 6

The nearest star is 4.3 light years away or about 25,800,000,000,000 (trillion) miles. Traveling there at 100 miles per hour (160 KPH) would take about 29,452,000 years.

Answer 7

4 years at the speed of light. A little bit longer if you can't quite go that fast. :o)

Answer 8

That depends on how fast you are going, now doesn't it? One of our space probes is due to get to Alpha Centari in about 10,000 years.

Answer 9

not so long....start now.
All the best.

Answer 10

TOO LONG