The European Southern Observatory recently announced the discovery of Proxima b, a planet that orbits a star (Proxima Centauri) that’s quite close to the solar system. Distance isn’t the only reason why those on earth would want to check out Proxima b. Here’s a Q&A about what it would take to probe Proxima b:How far is Proxima b from earth, and what could be the best way to study it? Now, if light can travel the distance to Proxima b in about four years, something travelling at one-fifth the speed can reach there in a mere 20 years. Basically, it is a very tiny robot attached to a sail (which can control the direction of flight), which can be propelled to the high speeds required and which can also flyby Proxima b or any other target and shoot pictures and come back to tell us a story.

Source: The Hindu August 26, 2016 12:56 UTC