What is the nearest extra-solar planet to earth?

Answer 1

The nearest extrasolar planet from earth is Epsilon Eridani B about 10.5 light years from Earth. However... Epsilon Eridani B has not been verified 100% and remains unconfirmed due to the heavy magnetic field associated with that star system (which interferes with radial velocity measurements). If Epsilon Eridani B is not our nearest planetary neighbor, then that honor falls to the 3 planet system detected at Gilese 876 about 15 light years from our planet.

Answer 2

At the time of this writing*, 335 exoplanets have been discovered, yet none of them are Earthlike. But by using a very simple chaos theory pattern (fractal/strange attractor), I've 'found' the nearest Earthlike planet where humanoids have evolved: the Planet Nestor (not to be confused with Asteroid 639 Nestor orbiting Jupiter). Nestor has 6 continents & 4 'corners'/4 seasons, '6 seas' & 4 oceans, ~64% of its surface is water, 64% of its freshwater is contained in its ice caps & glaciers, and its large moon has 4 phases of 6.4 days each (6 day weeks & 24 [6x4] hours). All of these attributes can be detected from Earth orbit through great advances in technology. However, in just the next few years, we will be able to directly confirm Nestor by its two inner planets orbiting between it and its sun at .6AU & .4AU. Using u21nified string theory and its 7 aspects of 'regular time', I predict that all Earthlike planets where intelligent humanoid civilization has evolved in the past, present, or future run on FOD=6_4 (like Nestor) or GOD=7_4(like Earth). - Bradshaw Watson *1/19/09 13:13

Answer 3

As of October 2012:

The nearest exoplanet is an Earth sized body orbiting Alpha Centauri B, which is only 4.4 light years away.

Alpha Centauri B is one of three stars in the Alpha Centauri system. The Alpha Centauri system is the closest star system to ours.

The planet is called Alpha Centauri Bb. It orbits its star very closely and so very quickly, every three and a quarter days. Unsurprisingly, it is extremely hot, much too hot for life.

Answer 4

So far astronomers have no solid evidence life exist in other parts on this and any other galaxy.

Answer 5

The closest exoplanet to Earth is Proxima b, which orbits Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to our solar system at a distance of about 4.24 light-years.