What would happen if the Earth orbited Proxima Centauri instead of the Sun? Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf, smaller and less hot than the Sun, but at the same time, it has more solar activity and emits more radiation. Could life exist as we know it if the Earth orbited this star instead of the Sun?
Let's find out!
Proxima Centauri is located about 4.24 light-years away from us and is known to be the closest star to our solar system. This star is so tiny that it is only 12% the size of the Sun and emits a small fraction of its light.
Effects of orbiting a red dwarf
In addition to all the effects mentioned, we must consider those that jump out in plain sight, such as color. What color would the sky be if the Earth orbited the star Proxima Centauri instead of the Sun?
Undoubtedly, the sky's color would be different from what we see on Earth.
Would there be life on Earth if it orbited the star Proxima Centauri?
It's hard to say if there would be life on Earth if it orbited Proxima Centauri, but it's unlikely that life, as we know it today, could survive in those conditions. Life on Earth has evolved over billions of years under specific conditions, including suitable temperature, atmospheric pressure, radiation, and light. If conditions are very different from those we know, life is unlikely to survive.
Unpredictable effects
Additionally, Proxima Centauri is known to have highly variable solar activity, with frequent solar eruptions and solar flares that can emit high radiation levels. This solar activity could hurt Earth's atmosphere and living things, especially if Earth were much closer to the star.
A different sky
If Earth were to orbit Proxima Centauri, the stars in the night sky would be different from what we see today. Proxima Centauri is located in the constellation of Centaurus and, in turn, is part of the Centauri star system.
This system also comprises Alpha Centauri and Alpha Centauri B, two stars that revolve around each other around a common center of mass. Finally, there is Proxima Centauri that orbits around these two.
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Credits: Ron Miller, Mark A. Garlick / MarkGarlick.com ,Elon Musk/SpaceX/ Flickr
Video Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:37 Effects of Orbiting a Red Dwarf
06:50 Unpredictable effects
07:27 Tidal coupling
08:59 A different sky
#insanecuriosity #proximacentauri #earth
