Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Alpha Centauri
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Interactive infographic comparing the Sun with the stars of Alpha Centauri. Proxima Centauri b
Quizzes
View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
Astronomy and Space Quiz
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Ursa major constellation illustration art. (Big Dipper) stars, space, night sky)
Stars: Explosions in Space
1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.
Brightest Star in the Solar System
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
Related Questions
Read Next
Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.
6 Questions About the Sun Answered
Infinite space background with silhouette of telescope. This image elements furnished by NASA.
Telescopes: Seeing Stars
Remarkable new details of Pluto's largest moon Charon are revealed in this image from New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI), taken late on July 13, 2015 from a distance of 289,000 miles
Why Is Pluto No Longer a Planet?
M17, the Swan Nebula, is a star-making cloud in the constellation Sagittarius.
How Do We Know How Far Away the Stars Are?
Discover
United States Electoral College votes by state
How Many Electoral College Votes Does Each U.S. State Have?
Sydney New Years Eve Fireworks
Why Does the New Year Start on January 1?
Abstract vector hi speed internet technology background
History of Technology Timeline
An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.
11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
Shadow of a man holding large knife in his hand inside of some dark, spooky buiding
7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers
Baseball laying in the grass. Homepage blog 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society, sports and games athletics
10 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time
The Battle of New Orleans, by E. Percy Moran, c. 1910. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812.
26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History

Alpha Centauri: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Add new Web site: Faculty of Science - Mission to Alpha Centauri. Dec 07, 2024
Add new Web site: CORE - Testing Gravity with wide binary stars like α Centauri. Oct 26, 2024
Add new Web site: Astronomy and Astrophysics - The Alpha Centauri binary system - Atmospheric parameters and element abundances. Sep 14, 2024
Link added. Jun 10, 2024
Added interactive. Jan 10, 2024
Article revised and updated. Sep 09, 2023
Add new Web site: The Planets - Alpha Centauri: The Closest Stars and Exoplanets to the Sun. Aug 10, 2023
Add new Web site: The Nine Planets - Alpha Centauri System Facts. Apr 07, 2023
Add new Web site: NASA - Alpha Centauri: A Triple Star System about 4 Light Years from Earth. May 23, 2022
Added material about Proxima's planetary system. Feb 16, 2022
Add new Web site: Space.com - Alpha Centauri: Nearest Star System to the Sun. Mar 15, 2019
Added artist's conception of Proxima Centauri b. Dec 08, 2017
Changed "may be circling" to "circles." Changed "probably of 500,000 years" to "of 550,000 years." Added discussion of the IAU official naming Alpha Centauri A as Rigil Kentaurus. Dec 08, 2017
Add new Web site: Easy Science For Kids - Best Closest Star Video for Kids. Jan 27, 2017
Add new Web site: LiveScience - Stephen Hawking's 'Starshot': 5 Fun Facts About Alpha Centauri. Jan 27, 2017
Added material about Proxima Centauri b. Aug 24, 2016
Removed material about possible planet around Alpha Centauri. Apr 13, 2016
Material added about planet orbiting Alpha Centuari B. Oct 17, 2012
Article revised and updated. Feb 18, 2009
Article revised and updated. Mar 09, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
View Changes:
Article History
Revised:
By: