2006-08-28 16:33:06 · 11 answers · asked by ketakislover 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The universe is expanding so the distances between any two planets are never constant. at this movement proxima centauri is the closest star to the sun
2006-08-28 16:44:04 · answer #1 · answered by three aces 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apart form our beloved Sun, the star we call Alpha Centauri lies 4.35 light-years from the Sun (and the Earth). But it is actually a triple star system. The two brightest components Alpha Centauri A and B form a binary. They orbit each other in 80 years with a mean separation of 23 astronomical units (1 astronomical unit = 1 AU = distance between the Sun and Earth). The third member of the system Alpha Centauri C lies 13,000 AU from A and B, or 400 times the distance between the Sun and Neptune. This is so far that it is not known whether Alpha Centauri C is really bound to A and B, or if it will have left the system in some million years. Alpha Centauri C lies measurably closer to us than the other two: It is only 4.22 light-years away, and it is the nearest individual star to the Sun. Because of this proximity, Alpha Centauri C is also called Proxima (Centauri).
Alpha Centauri is a special star - not only because it is the closest stellar system to the sun but also because it is one of the relatively few places in our galaxy that may offer terrestrial life conditions.
Alpha Centauri A is a yellow star with a spectral type of G2, exactly the same as the Sun's. Therefore its temperature and color also match those of the Sun. Alpha Centauri B is an orange star with a spectral type of K1. Whereas Alpha Centauri A and B are stars like the Sun, Proxima is a dim red dwarf with a spectral type of M5 - much fainter, cooler, and smaller than the Sun. Proxima is so faint that astronomers did not discover it until 1915.
Barnard Star is a dim red main-sequence dwarf and is second closest to the Sun, located at about 5.97 light years and rapidly getting closer.
2006-08-29 03:54:53 · answer #2 · answered by metalab7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Sun
2006-08-28 23:39:56 · answer #3 · answered by sunflower 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Sun
2006-08-28 23:36:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, that's what I did once. I forgot our sun was a star too! Yes, the next closest star is Alpha-Centauri. Keep questioning though because there is no such thing as a stupid question if it is an honest question. ;-)
2006-08-29 03:39:30 · answer #5 · answered by scottaranda523901 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than the Sun, which is a star, the closest is Alpha-Centauri.
2006-08-28 23:41:39 · answer #6 · answered by solipsistic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sun. The next is Proxima Centauri.
2006-08-28 23:36:25 · answer #7 · answered by mathematician 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry.. you should really think about what you want to ask before asking the question.
I'm sure with a little more effort you could ask an even more stupid question.
Keep up the good work.
2006-08-28 23:39:52 · answer #8 · answered by simsjk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
our sun, alpha centauri
2006-08-28 23:39:48 · answer #9 · answered by MstrChief55 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SOL ( our sun silly )
2006-08-28 23:36:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋