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Old 13-February-2004, 09:36 PM
VTBoy VTBoy is offline
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Default Proxima Centauri part of a ternary System or No.

Well is Proxima Centauri in the same solar system as Alpha Centauri A and B. That would make it part of a Ternary system with 3 stars, or is it its own thing. That would mean Alpha Centauri A and B are only Binary Star.

My question is should Proxima Centauri be considered as part of a ternary sustem or should it be thought of as its own little system. I have heard people say it was in the same system as Alpha Centauri A and B but I have also heard people say it is to far from to be with them.
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Old 13-February-2004, 11:01 PM
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Kaptain K Kaptain K is offline
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I think that the jury is still out. Alpha Centauri has long been considered to be a three star system (A,B, and Proxima), But there is a possibility that Proxima is "just passin' through"
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Old 15-February-2004, 09:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaptain K
I think that the jury is still out. Alpha Centauri has long been considered to be a three star system (A,B, and Proxima), But there is a possibility that Proxima is "just passin' through"
If it is just "passing through," could it be captured?
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Old 15-February-2004, 01:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eroica
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaptain K
I think that the jury is still out. Alpha Centauri has long been considered to be a three star system (A,B, and Proxima), But there is a possibility that Proxima is "just passin' through"
If it is just "passing through," could it be captured?
Only if you have a really, really big net.
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Old 16-February-2004, 09:55 PM
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Kebsis Kebsis is offline
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Here's a good page on Alpha Centauri.

http://homepage.sunrise.ch/homepage/...-Centauri.html
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Old 16-February-2004, 11:49 PM
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The thing is, Aplha Centauri A & B both have a proper motion of 3.689 arcsec/yr at 281.1° from north. Proxima Centauri has a proper motion of 3.809 arcsec/yr at 281.7° from north, which is awfully close to the proper motion of Alpha Centauri A & B.

So if it is just passing through, it's sure doing its best to come along for the ride!
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