Aster › Space program › Tau Ceti f
Tau Ceti f
Position on the route: 98/130 · level needed 1150 · journey (Mk0 engine) 317.2 h
By the numbers
| Distance | 11.9 light-years |
|---|---|
| Mass | ≥ 3.9 Earths (catalogue) |
| Year | 636 days |
| Star | G8, Sun-like |
The story
Tau Ceti is one of the nearest Sun-like stars (11.9 light-years); because it was seen as the Sun’s sibling it was among SETI’s first targets. In 2017 five planet candidates were reported; e (a 168-day year) is very hot, while f, with a 636-day year, sits on the outer edge of the habitable zone. Their masses are known only as lower limits.
The dust disc around the star is about ten times denser than the Kuiper belt: the planets may be under constant bombardment. In the game, one of the nearest ‘habitable-zone’ candidates.
Missions
- HARPS and Keck velocity measurements
- Future: the Habitable Worlds Observatory
Colony note
May be rocky; a Mk2 shield and cryo sleep. Kesh territory.
What probes bring back
- 11.9 light-years: a Sun-like star with at least five reported planet candidates; f (≥ 3.9 Earths, a 636-day year) sits at the edge of the habitable zone.
- The dust disc around the star is about ten times denser than the Kuiper belt: frequent bombardment.