Alpha Centauri - the purpose of the flight of spacecraft in many works belonging to the genre of science fiction.It is the nearest star is a heavenly figure, embodying the legendary centaur Chiron, according to Greek mythology, who was the teacher of Achilles and Hercules.
Modern scholars, like writers, constantly returning to the thoughts in this star system, because it is not only the first candidate of the long space mission, but also a possible winner of the world's population.
structure
star system Alpha Centauri includes three space objects: the two stars of the same name and symbols A and B, as well as Proxima Centauri.For these stars is characterized by the proximity of the two components and remote - the third.Proxima is just the latest.The distance to Alpha Centauri with all its elements is about 4.3 light-years.Stars closer to the Earth at the moment.At the same time the fastest fly to Proxima: we share just 4.22 light years.
Solar relatives
Alpha Centauri A and B are different from the companion not only to the distance to the Earth.They are unlike the Proxima in many ways similar to the sun.Alpha Centauri A or Rigel Kentavrus (means "foot of the Centaur") brighter component of the pair.Toliman And how is called this star - yellow dwarf.From Earth it perfectly clear, as it has zero magnitude.This option makes it fourth in the list of the most striking points of the night sky.The size of the object is almost the same as with the sun.
star Alpha Centauri B is inferior to our luminary mass (about 0.9 times the value of the corresponding parameter of the Sun).It refers to the objects of the first magnitude, and the level of luminosity of approximately two times less than that of the main stars of our galaxy piece.The distance between two adjacent companion is 23 astronomical units, that is, they are located 23 times farther from each other than Earth is from the sun.Toliman Toliman A and B together revolve around a center of gravity in a period of 80 years.
recent discovery
scientists, as already stated, have placed high hopes on the discovery of life in the vicinity of the star Alpha Centauri.The planets are assumed to exist here on Earth may seem like the same way as the components themselves are reminiscent of our star.Until recently, however, these celestial bodies near the star was found.Distance can not directly observe the planets.Obtaining evidence of the existence of Earth-like object was made possible only with the improvement of technology.
With the radial-velocity method, scientists were able to detect very small fluctuations in Toliman, arising under the influence of gravitational forces of the planets orbiting it.Thus it was obtained evidence for the existence of at least one kind of object in the system.Vibrations caused planet manifested in the form of its offset by 51 cm per second forward and then backward.In a similar move under the earth even the largest body would be very noticeable.However, at a distance of 4.3 light-years of the discovery of fluctuations seems impossible.Nevertheless, it has been registered.
Sister Earth
Found planet orbiting Alpha Centauri B for 3.2 days.It is located very close to the star: the radius of the orbit is ten times less than the corresponding parameter characteristic of Mercury.The mass of the space object close to the Earth and is about 1.1 times the mass of the Blue Planet.This similarity ends: proximity, according to scientists, suggesting that the origin of life on the planet impossible.The energy of light reaching the surface, it heats up too much.
nearest
The third component of the star system, which makes all the famous constellation - Alpha Centauri C or Proxima Centauri.The name of the cosmic body means "immediate."Proxima is from their companions at a distance of 13,000 light years.It is an object of the eleventh magnitude red dwarf, a small (about 7 times less than the Sun), very dim.To see it with the naked eye is impossible.Proxima is typical for "restless" state: the star is capable of a few minutes to change the value of its luster twice.The reason for this "behavior" in the internal processes in the bowels of the dwarf.
dual position
Proxima has long been considered the third element of the Alpha Centauri system, revolves around a pair of A and B in about 500 years.Recently, however, the view is gaining momentum that red dwarf has no relation to them, and the interaction of three celestial bodies - a temporary phenomenon.
reason for doubt was the data, is that a close-knit pair of stars does not have sufficient force of gravitational attraction to hold still and Proxima.The results obtained in the early 90-ies information long remained unproven.Recent observations and calculations of the scientists did not give a clear answer.According to assumptions, Proxima can still be part of a triple system and move around a common center of gravity.Moreover, its orbit must be like an elongated oval, the most distant point from the center - the one in which the star is observed today.
Projects
Whatever it was, namely, to reach Proxima is planned in the first place, when it becomes available.Journey to Alpha Centauri at the present level of development of space technology can last more than 1000 years.This time period is simply inconceivable, because scientists are actively engaged in the search for options to reduce it.
NASA research team headed by Harold White is developing the project "Speed", the result of which should become a new engine.Its feature is the ability to overcome the speed of light, so the flight from Earth to the nearest star will be only two weeks.This miracle of technology will be a real masterpiece of a cohesive work of theoretical physicists and experimenters.So far, however, the ship, overcoming the speed of light - in the future.According Marc Millis, formerly of NASA, such as technology, provided the existing at the moment the speed of progress will become reality no earlier than two hundred years.Reducing the term may only be made if the discovery can dramatically change existing ideas about space travel.
now Proxima Centauri and her companions remain ambitious goal unattainable in the near future.Technology, however, is constantly being improved, and new information on the characteristics of the solar system - that visual evidence.Even today, scientists are able to much of what 40-50 years ago and did not have to dream.
