Imagine that scientists have just discovered something odd—and unexpected—coming from Proxima B. Light is being emitted from a planet that is only 4.2 light years distant in a manner that is inconsistent with our understanding. Is this an indication of extraterrestrial technology?
Proxima B is a serious competitor in the hunt for extraterrestrial life, not just another far-off planet. One of the nearest exoplanets to our solar system, it is only a little more than four light years away and has some startling parallels to Earth.
Let’s start by discussing size. One of the reasons astronomers are so enthusiastic about Proxima B is that it is around the same size as Earth. The odd part, though, is that although it appears to be an exact replica of Earth, it is actually orbiting Proxima Centauri, a red dwarf star that is far smaller and colder than our sun. The environment is significantly altered by this.
