Archive:: American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics:: Science Publishing Group

Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2017

The Composition and Evolutionary Status of Proxima Centauri

Martin Beech, Corey McCowan, Lowell Peltier

Issue: Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2017

Pages: 1-5

Received: 7 January 2017

Accepted: 21 January 2017

Published: 22 February 2017

DOI: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20170501.11

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Abstract: A suite of stellar evolution models has been used to estimate the mass and metallicity of Proxima Centauri (GJ 551, HIP 70890, V645 Cen). It is found that the observations are best described by an M ≈ 0.12 M_⊙ star with a heavy element mass fraction in the range 0.004 < Z < 0.01 (or equivalently, a metallicity of -0.5 < [Fe/H] < -0.3). The derived metallicity of Proxima is distinctly at odds with that established for α Cen A and αCen B. It is argued that both the observational data as well as the evolutionary models for Proxima Centauri are consistent with an age of some 7 to 8 Gyr and that its (presently derived) physical characteristics are inconsistent with an in situ or coevally origin with the α Cen AB binary.

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On Hybrid Wave Functions, Tidal Forces and Black Holes

Leon Francis Phillips

Issue: Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2017

Pages: 6-9

Received: 22 January 2017

Accepted: 3 February 2017

Published: 2 March 2017

DOI: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20170501.12

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Abstract: Interesting questions that arise in connection with the physics of black holes include the existence or non-existence of mathematical singularities in the physical universe, the rate at which an incoming particle can be observed to cross a black hole’s event horizon, the quantum mechanics of small particles inside a gravitational potential well, th... Show More

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