Welcome to Cosmos in a Pod! I’m Amitesh, your guide to the wonders of the universe. Today, we’re exploring Proxima Centauri, the closest star to Earth and a fascinating red dwarf with a planetary system that holds tantalizing possibilities for habitability and the search for life.

Episode Highlights:

What is Proxima Centauri?

• The closest star to Earth, is located 4.24 light-years away in the Alpha Centauri system.
• A faint red dwarf, just 12% the mass of the Sun and too dim to be seen without a telescope.

Proxima Centauri’s Planetary System:

1. Proxima b:
   • A rocky, Earth-like exoplanet in the habitable zone.
   • Orbits the star in just 11.2 days but faces challenges from intense stellar flares.