NASA又搞了個大新聞 4.37光年外有另一個地球

去年，NASA真的搞了不少大新聞，先是宣佈超級地球確實存在，緊接着宣佈他們找到了一顆與地球十分相似的星球，叫做“開普勒452-b”（Kepler 452-b），現在又一個宜居星球被發現了——

Researchers have confirmed the existence of a rocky planet named Proxima b orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun, according to a new study. It is the closest exoplanet to us in the universe.
一項最新研究稱，研究人員已經確認有一個名爲Proxima b的岩石星球的存在，其軌道圍繞離太陽最近的比鄰星。這是宇宙中離我們最近的外星球。

Given the fact that Proxima b is within the habitable zone of its star, meaning liquid water could exist on the surface, it may also be the closest possible home for life outside of our solar system, the researchers said.
鑑於Proxima b可居住，這意味着星球表面含水，也可能是我們太陽星系之外最近的可居住家園，研究人員如是說。

Proxima b is a mere 4.2 light-years away from our solar system, which are 92.96 million miles apart.
Proxima b離我們太陽系僅4.2光年遠，即相距9296萬英里之遙。

Proxima b is in a close orbit of Proxima Centauri: only 5% of the distance between the Earth and the sun. Proxima b has a temperature that is suitable for liquid water to exist on the surface without evaporating.
Proxima b緊挨着比鄰星軌道：僅爲太陽地球間距的5%；其表面溫度適宜液態水存在，保證其不蒸發。

If there is life on the planet, it would be affected by this radiation.
如果此星球有生命，將會受到輻射影響。

Perhaps one of the biggest questions includes the history of the star and the planet. How did they form?
也許最大的問題在於這顆星及星球的歷史。它們從何而來？

This would indicate whether the plant was rich with water in its early days or started out dry, as well as whether there was any high-energy radiation that could have blasted away an atmosphere during formation of the planet.
這或許能暗示，星球初期是富含水分、還是開始乾涸，及行星形成期間高能輻射是不是消逝了。

Many researchers hope that we can actually get an idea of their atmospheric makeup and surface composition, and strive to answer the question of "Are we alone in the universe?"
很多研究者希望我們可以瞭解這些星球的大氣組成和表面組成，努力回答“我們是不是宇宙的唯一（可居住星球）？”這個問題。