The Synthesis of "nearest star"

Discover Proxima Centauri b, the closest exoplanet to our solar system. Learn why this rocky world, orbiting in its star's habitable zone, excites scientists.

Discover what stars are, from their fiery nuclear fusion cores to their role in creating elements. Learn how these celestial bodies shape the universe.

Discover the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), our closest major galactic neighbor, and learn about its future collision course with our own Milky Way.

Discover Polaris, the North Star. Learn why this celestial beacon has guided travelers for centuries and its modern role in astronomy.

Discover red dwarfs, the most common stars in the universe. Learn why these long-lived, dim stars are top targets in the search for habitable exoplanets.

Discover Polaris, our current North Star. Learn why this celestial beacon is vital for navigation, astronomy, and as a powerful symbol of guidance.

Discover absolute magnitude, the true measure of a star's brightness. Learn how astronomers use it to compare cosmic objects and measure distances.

Discover apparent magnitude, the scale astronomers use to measure the brightness of stars and other celestial objects as seen from Earth.

Discover the Local Group, our home galaxy cluster containing the Milky Way, Andromeda, and over 80 other gravitationally bound galaxies.

Ever wondered how astronomers measure cosmic distances? Discover what a light-year is—a unit of distance, not time—and why it's so important.