An mK = 7.8 star may enter the Einstein ring of alpha Cen A in 2028 (2016)
arxiv.org
arxiv.org
“ An exceptional event will take place in early May 2028, when alpha Cen A will come within 0.015 +/- 0.135 arcseconds of the mK = 7.8 star 2MASS 14392160-6049528 (hereafter S5). In terms of impact parameter and contrast, this is the most favorable stellar conjunction of alpha Cen within at least the next three decades. With an angular diameter of LD = 0.47 +/- 0.05 mas, it is likely that S5 is a red giant or supergiant located at several kiloparsecs.”
I’ve never heard of the Breakthrough Starshot initiative. Can someone here please point me to some more details about this?
(Another initiative, Breakthrough Enceladus, would send a probe to the Saturn moon but I cannot find information about whether this is an active ongoing effort.)