this video shows an artist’s impression of a trip from earth (the pale blue dot) to proxima b, a pale red dot orbiting the closest star to the solar system, proxima centauri. as we leave the solar system we see the familiar constellation figures including the southern cross (crux) and the bright stars alpha and beta centauri. we gradually close in on a faint red star, this is proxima centauri, the closest star to earth and the faintest component of a triple star system. the final part shows the planet proxima b, the closest exoplanet to the solar system.
more information and download options: http://www.eso.org/public/videos/eso1...
credit:
eso./l. calçada/nick risinger (skysurvey.org)