Proxima Centauri is the closest star to Earth other than the Sun and it has an exoplanet in orbit around it. Its distance is about 4 ½ light-years from Earth, a light-year being about 6 trillion miles. Voyager, the fastest spacecraft we have ever launched, is traveling through space as a velocity of about 40,000 miles per hour. How long will Voyager take to reach this star and planet? Based on your answer, discuss whether space travel at this speed is an efficient way for humans to search for life on distant planets.

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1LR
icon
Related questions
Question

Proxima Centauri is the closest star to Earth other than the Sun and it has an exoplanet in orbit around it. Its distance is about 4 ½ light-years from Earth, a light-year being about 6 trillion miles. Voyager, the fastest spacecraft we have ever launched, is traveling through space as a velocity of about 40,000 miles per hour. How long will Voyager take to reach this star and planet? Based on your answer, discuss whether space travel at this speed is an efficient way for humans to search for life on distant planets.

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Recommended textbooks for you
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134746241
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134041360
Author:
Greg Carbone
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781260153125
Author:
William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134543536
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781337569613
Author:
G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physical Geology
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781259916823
Author:
Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:
Mcgraw-hill Education,