1993/03/01 by Robert Matthews, G. Gilmore · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/mnras/261.1.l5
openalex publication_date 1993/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/15
Despite the widespread acceptance that Proxima is in a bound orbit about α Cen A/B, widely quoted kinematic data for these stars do not support such a conclusion. We set radial velocity limits for Proxima consistent with the bound-orbit hypothesis, and show that a reasonably precise radial velocity obtained by the ESO Coravel programme lies close to these limits. However, given the importance of Proxima for a number of astrophysical questions, more accurate kinematic data are still merited.