Join scientists in the search for a life-bearing planet in our astronomical backyard: orbiting Proxima Centauri, the second-closest star to Earth.

The search for extraterrestrial life seems daunting: so much space, so little time! Until scientists invent a hyperdrive or discover the calculations for warp speed, our ability to travel to explore planets outside our solar system is limited.

But what if we didn’t have to travel to the most distant reaches of the universe to find alien life? What if we started the search a lot closer to home?

Someone already has. The Pale Red Dot project is the European Southern Observatory’s search for Earth-like planets around Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our solar system. The small red dwarf star is just 4.2 light-years away. If there are intelligent life forms around Proxima Centauri, chances are good that we could communicate with them in our lifetimes.

There is also the distinct possibility that at least one planet orbits the red dwarf. Even though Proxima Centauri was only discovered a century ago, it has been studied more than most stars because of its proximity to Earth. In 100 years of study, astronomers have found hints in the data they’ve collected of an orbiting planet around the star. Pale Red Dot seeks to determine conclusively whether a planet actually orbits our closest neighbor.

The Pale Red Dot effort isn’t limited to scientists. Part of what makes the project so special is that astronomers have invited the public behind the scenes of the scientific observation at the La Silla Observatory in Chile.

Those who are interested can follow frequent updates on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. There’s also a website that provides an introduction to the project and frequent articles on Pale Red Dot’s findings and what life is like at the observatory.

Learn more about the Pale Red Dot search for an earth-like planet:

Pale Red Dot plans to collect data until March, after which their social media will go quiet as the scientists analyze their data and prepare it for publication.

If you stick with the project, you might be one of the first to know about a new planet discovery!