Researchers have confirmed the existence of a rocky planet named Proxima b orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun, according to a new study.
It is the closest exoplanet to us in the universe.
Given the fact that Proxima b is within the habitable zone of its star, meaning liquid water could exist on the surface, it may also be the closest possible home for life outside of our solar system.
Because of its location, the researchers hope it provides an opportunity for possible “robotic exploration in the coming centuries”.
Proxima Centauri coexists with a binary star in Alpha Centauri, a well-studied star system that serves as a neighbour to our sun.
Proxima b is a mere 4.2 light-years away from our solar system, or 266,000 times the distance between the Earth and the sun, which are 92.96mn miles apart.
Previous rocky exoplanet discoveries, like those orbiting ultracool red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, were described as “close” at 40 light-years away.
Proxima b is a rocky, terrestrial planet with a surface - unlike a gas giant, such as Jupiter - that is 1.3 times the size of Earth and orbits its star every 11.2 days.
It is in a close orbit of Proxima Centauri: only 5% of the distance between the Earth and the sun.
They are even closer together than Mercury and the sun.
But because its star is much cooler and fainter than our sun, Proxima b has a temperature that is suitable for liquid water to exist on the surface without evaporating.