description Ross 128 Overview
Ross 128 is a red dwarf star located approximately 11 light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo, making it one of the nearest stars to the Solar System. In 2017, astronomers using the HARPS spectrograph at the La Silla Observatory in Chile announced the discovery of Ross 128b, an Earth-mass exoplanet orbiting within the star's habitable zone where liquid water could potentially exist. Red dwarfs are the most common stellar type in the Milky Way, and Ross 128 is noted for its relatively low stellar flare activity compared to other nearby red dwarfs such as Proxima Centauri.
help Ross 128 FAQ
Is Ross 128b inside its star's habitable zone?
Ross 128b receives an amount of stellar energy that could permit temperate conditions under some atmospheric models. Its actual surface climate is unknown because astronomers have not established whether it has a substantial atmosphere or liquid water.
Why is Ross 128 considered quieter than Proxima Centauri?
Ross 128 is an older red dwarf with less obvious flare activity than the highly active Proxima Centauri. That relative quietness makes Ross 128b interesting when considering whether a nearby planet could retain an atmosphere.
How was Ross 128b discovered?
The planet was detected through radial-velocity measurements made with the HARPS spectrograph in Chile. Researchers identified the small back-and-forth motion that the planet's gravity induces in Ross 128.
Will Ross 128 become the closest star to the Sun?
Its motion through the Milky Way is expected to bring it closer than Proxima Centauri in roughly 79,000 years. Even then, Ross 128 will remain separated from the Sun by several light-years.
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