Can the star system closest to the sun become humanity’s future interstellar home?

Can the star system closest to the sun become humanity’s future interstellar home?

Proxima b is a planet orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri (imaginary picture)

In science fiction, stories about exploring alien worlds and establishing colonies are always fascinating. The American TV series Lost In Space is one of the best works. The show tells the story of the Robinson family's adventure to the planet Alpha Centauri. So, can humans really embark on this interstellar journey? What will our lives look like in distant alien worlds?

Alpha Centauri star system: humanity’s future home?

As the closest star system to the solar system, Alpha Centauri is about 4 light years away from the Earth. Although this distance is insignificant in the vast universe, it is a difficult chasm to cross for current human technology.

According to research estimates, even with existing technology, it will take humans 6,300 years to reach Alpha Centauri. Therefore, before we delve into the habitability of this system, we must recognize a reality: with the current level of technology, humans cannot safely reach and live in the Alpha Centauri star system.

Alpha Centauri is a triple star system, with three stars holding each other together by gravity. Among them, Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B are similar to the sun, while the third star, Proxima Centauri (Alpha Centauri C), is a red dwarf. Proxima Centauri has at least two planets, of which Proxima b is considered the most likely planet to have life because it is located in the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri and is similar in size to the Earth.

However, the study shows that the planet may not support an Earth-like atmosphere. Scientists are still working to obtain more information about the planet in order to more fully assess its habitability.

Although the possibility of life in the Alpha Centauri system is extremely low, an international team of scientists is using a new space telescope mission called TOLIMAN, which is under construction, to conduct a deeper exploration of the star system in order to answer many questions about its planets.

Going to Proxima b: Dreams and Reality

Zach Estrin, the producer of Lost in Space, said that the basic facts of the Alpha Centauri star system were fully considered when creating the show in order to find a balance between reality and fiction. He mentioned that the long distance between the system and the earth is an obstacle that current technology cannot overcome, which is one of the reasons why alien technology is introduced in the show.

Alien technology could theoretically allow the characters to travel to this nearest star system fast enough to avoid the problem of survival during the long journey.

Despite the difficulties, Estrin points out that a new potentially habitable planet is discovered every few months, which provides unlimited possibilities for human exploration of alien worlds. However, Estrin also reminds us that considering living on other planets is not without risks.

The Prospects and Challenges of Exploring Extraterrestrial Life

Regarding the interstellar adventures presented in "Lost in Space", Estrin said that the reason why the show can attract audiences across generations is that it satisfies people's desire: if the earth encounters an accident, humans may still have a glimmer of hope. But he also warned that this idea may be harmful because it may become an excuse to destroy the earth.

For planets like Proxima b, people hope to recreate life on Earth there and enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming and tree climbing.

However, Estrin believes that alien worlds may be very different from Earth's environments, so our experiences may also be very different. For example, settling on the harsh environment of Mars may require people to live in giant domes and rely more on genetic modification.

Although humans cannot currently travel to the Alpha Centauri star system and live there, the dream of exploring alien worlds has never died. With the advancement of technology and our deepening understanding of the universe, perhaps one day we will be able to cross the interstellar gap and set foot on that distant and mysterious land.

Reference Links:

https://www.space.com/alpha-centauri-humanity-lost-in-space

Compiled by: Youyou

Planning: Zhang Chao, Li Peiyuan, Yang Liu

Reviewed by: Li Xin, Research Librarian of Beijing Planetarium