alpha centauri Archives - Universe Today

What Would a Camera on a Breakthrough Starshot Spacecraft See if it’s Going at High Velocity?

7 Jul , 2018 by Matt Williams

In a recent study, a pair of astrophysicists suggest that Breakthrough Starshot could also test Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity while traveling to Alpha Centauri.

Chandra Observatory Checks to Make Sure Alpha Centauri is Safe, You Know, in Case We Decide to Visit

7 Jun , 2018 by Matt Williams

Using over a decade of data collected by the Chandra X-ray observatory, a new study indicates that the Alpha Centauri system could be hospitable to life.

Astronomers Figure Out a New Way to Search for Planets at Alpha Centauri

22 Dec , 2017 by Matt Williams

A mew study by a team of exoplanet scientists has revealed what kinds of planets are likely to lurk around Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to our own.

Could Magnetic Sails Slow an Interstellar Spacecraft Enough?

21 Nov , 2017 by Matt Williams

A new study by Professor Claudius Gros – who proposed The Genesis Project – indicates how magnetic sails could be used to brake an interstellar mission.

Project Blue: Building a Space Telescope that Could Directly Observe Planets Around Alpha Centauri

25 Oct , 2017 by Matt Williams

An international consortium of scientists known as Project Blue hopes to crowdfund the creation of a space telescope that will allow us to directly image planets in the neighboring Alpha Centauri system.

Breakthrough Lofts the Smallest Satellites Ever, not Interstellar Yet, but a Step Forward

26 Jul , 2017 by Matt Williams

Breakthrough Initiatives achieved a major milestone with the recent deployment of their Sprite satellites, the smallest satellites in history.

A Novel Concept For Braking Breakthrough Starshot

2 Feb , 2017 by Matt Williams

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute have come up with an interesting way to slow down Starshot’s mission to Alpha Centauri, a proposal which has the side benefit of exploring Proxima b as well.

A “Breakthrough” to Search for Planets in Closest Star System to Earth

11 Jan , 2017 by Matt Williams

The European Southern Observatory and Breakthrough Initiatives have come together for purpose of finding habitable planets beyond Earth.

What Are Multiple Star Systems?

29 Nov , 2016 by Fraser Cain

Not all stars are alone. Some come in pairs and more. And when there are multiple stars in a system, watch the cosmic sparks fly.

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What’s the Most Stable Shape for an Interstellar Lightsail?

28 Oct , 2016 by Matt Williams

A recent study by an international team of scientists looked at Project Starshot and assessed the likelihood of its success, based on several design features

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