At the speed of light to Proxima Centauri: about 4.2 years
At the speed of light (1,079,252,849 km/h) it would take about 4.2 years to get to Proxima Centauri – at a distance of 40.2 trillion km, non-stop and in a straight line.
For comparison
About the time between two Summer Olympics. The light we see from Proxima today is therefore just over four years old.
How it is calculated
- Distance
- 40.2 trillion km (4.25 ly)
- Speed
- 1,079,252,849 km/h
- Formula
- Travel time = distance ÷ speed
- Result
- 40.2 trillion km ÷ 1,079,252,849 km/h ≈ 4.2 years
Assumption: constant speed in a straight line, with no stops, acceleration or braking. Real spacecraft fly curved paths and use the gravity of planets.
Good to know: Proxima Centauri
Proxima Centauri is a small red dwarf and the nearest star to the Sun – 4.25 light-years away and part of the Alpha Centauri triple system. It is too faint to see with the naked eye. At least one planet, Proxima b, orbits it in the habitable zone.