Proxima b might be perfect for liquid water.
Scientists have not actually seen water on
Proxima b. But they do know the exoplanet is at
least . times Earth’s mass.
Astronomers are excited about Proxima b.
Because of how near this exoplanet is to Earth,
future telescopes might be able to see some
details on the planet. Some scientists even have
a plan to study it up close. They want to send
several small spacecraft to Proxima Centauri. The
spacecraft would have large sails. These sails
would reflect light.
Lasers
on Earth would beam
light to the spacecraft. This light would bounce
off the sails, and the spacecraft would be pushed
forward. This new technology is not yet ready.
But it would help the spacecraft travel quickly.
They could reach Proxima Centauri in only a few
decades.
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