is it the name of a star
2007-05-20 07:05:56 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Alpha Centauri is a triple star system, with Alpha A and B being two stars not unlike our sun orbiting relatively close to one another, while the 3rd member is a red dwarf with a long orbit, that, because it is far from the other two, happens to have been closer to us for the last 32000 years, and should remains so for the next 9000. Because it is closer, is was called proxima.
2007-05-20 07:12:49 · answer #1 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
One of the three stars that make up the 'Alpha Centauri' star cluster (about 4.3 LY from Earth) The other 2 stars are 'Alpha Centauri' A and B.
Proxima is a fairly dim, red giant that orbits the other 2 stars and, right now, it's closer to Earth than the other 2, hence the name 'Proxima'.
Doug
2007-05-20 07:16:46 · answer #2 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the nearest star to our star (the sun), about 4 light years away- thus proxima. It is a red dwarf that is also part of the alpha centauri system.
2007-05-20 07:14:43 · answer #3 · answered by Dan K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
proxima centauri is the name of the star that is closest to the earth.
2007-05-20 07:52:51 · answer #4 · answered by amandac 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is .For more details on the same go to answers.com at search of site type Proxima Centauri you get all the details .
2007-05-20 07:11:25 · answer #5 · answered by Richard J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's the closest star to the Earth other than the Sun. It's a southern hemisphere star, so you can't see it from the US. It's also a very small dim star, so it wouldn't look like anything special - it's not the brightest in the sky.
2007-05-20 07:10:27 · answer #6 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a star part of the Alpha Centuri star system.
It is also the closest star to Earth - around 4.6 lightyears away.
2007-05-20 08:49:41 · answer #7 · answered by Wedge 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next closest star to us after the sun - proxma means close
2007-05-20 08:23:42 · answer #8 · answered by rosie recipe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a star and it is the name of a star
2007-05-20 11:07:22 · answer #9 · answered by Derchin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The closest star to us.
2007-05-20 07:31:12 · answer #10 · answered by Maurice H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋