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We are not moving! Newly discovered planet not safe for life

by Staff writer

In August 2016, scientists announced the discovery of a planet called Proxima Centauri b.

It is an exoplanet — a planet that orbits a star other than the Sun.

Proxima Centauri b, almost the size of Earth, orbits within the habitable zone of the star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the Sun.

Artist’s impression of the exoplanet Proxima Centauri b shown as an arid (but not completely water-less) rocky Super-Earth. [ESO/M. Kornmesser]

When it was discovered, many scientists had high hopes that is will be safe for life, just like the Earth.

However, a new study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters shows that we probably shouldn’t expect too much.

NASA study on the planet has revealed it is probably a dead zone.

For now we are stuck here on Earth, till whenever a new discovery is made!

About Daniel Nkado

Daniel Nkado is a Nigerian writer and social researcher whose work examines Black identity, racism, institutional inequality, social power and belonging. He is the founder of DNB Stories Africa. Read more about Daniel, including his research methodology and full biography, here.

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