What stellar classification defines Proxima Centauri?
Answer
Red dwarf
Proxima Centauri is classified as a red dwarf star, which is a crucial detail impacting the habitability calculations for its orbiting planet. Red dwarfs are fundamentally different from our Sun, which is categorized as a G-type star. They are significantly smaller and cooler, emitting far less heat and light. This lower energy output necessitates that the habitable zone, where liquid water could exist, must be located extremely close to the star itself, unlike the wider, more moderate zone surrounding the Sun.
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