How Long Would It Take to Travel to Proxima Centauri?

Proxima Centauri is the closest star to our Sun, located just 4.25 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus. This red dwarf star hosts Proxima Centauri b, an Earth-sized exoplanet in its habitable zone. Use our calculator to find out how long the journey would take at different speeds.

Distance 4.2465 light-years
Star Type Red dwarf (M5.5Ve)
Constellation Centaurus
Apparent Magnitude 11.13

Time Dilation Formula Calculator

Spacecraft accelerates continuously throughout the journey. Realistic for ion drives or theoretical propulsion.

Distance to Proxima Centauri
Speed vs Time
This chart shows how quickly you accelerate to a fraction of the speed of light over time.
Distance vs Time
Shows distance covered (in light-years) over time.
Traveler's vs Observer's Time
Shows how time experienced by the traveler differs from time on Earth.
Energy Requirement vs Distance
Shows the (simplified) energy requirements for maintaining relativistic travel as distance increases.
Doppler Shift vs Time
Shows how the Doppler effect changes observed wavelengths over time.
Velocity vs Distance
Shows how your speed changes as you travel further from your starting point.
Lorentz Factor vs Time
Shows how the Lorentz factor (γ) grows over time as relativistic effects increase.
Proper vs Observer Distance
Shows how distance measurements differ between the traveler's frame and the observer's frame.

Facts About Proxima Centauri

Notable For: Closest star to the Sun, hosts exoplanet Proxima Centauri b

Frequently Asked Questions

How long would it take to travel to Proxima Centauri at light speed?

At the speed of light, it would take 4.25 years to reach Proxima Centauri from Earth. However, due to time dilation, a traveler moving at near-light speed would experience less time passing than observers on Earth.

Can we reach Proxima Centauri with current technology?

With current spacecraft technology, it would take approximately 6,300 to 80,000 years to reach Proxima Centauri. Projects like Breakthrough Starshot aim to send tiny probes at 20% light speed, which would arrive in about 20 years.

Explore Similar Destinations

Alpha Centauri A 4.37 light-years Alpha Centauri B 4.37 light-years Barnard's Star 5.96 light-years

How to Use This Calculator

This time dilation calculator lets you enter a distance in light-years and acceleration in m/s² to see how time dilation affects your journey. It shows differences between traveler and observer times, maximum velocity, energy requirements, Doppler shift, Lorentz factor, and how distances vary between reference frames. Charts appear after you calculate.

Results

  • Traveler's Time: How much time the person on the spaceship experiences
  • Observer's Time: How much time passes on Earth during the journey
  • Maximum Velocity: The highest speed reached, as a fraction of light speed

Interactive Charts

  • Speed vs Time: How quickly you accelerate towards light speed
  • Distance vs Time: How far you've traveled over time
  • Traveler's vs Observer's Time: Compare time passage between Earth and spaceship
  • Energy Requirement vs Distance: How much energy is needed as you travel further
  • Doppler Shift vs Time: How light wavelengths change during your journey
  • Velocity vs Distance: Your speed at different distances
  • Lorentz Factor vs Time: How much time dilation increases with speed
  • Proper vs Observer Distance: How distance measurements differ between frames

What is Time Dilation?

Time dilation is an effect from Einstein's theory of special relativity. The faster you move, the slower time passes for you compared to someone standing still. At 90% of light speed, time passes about 2.3 times slower for the traveler than for someone on Earth.

What is the Time Dilation Formula?

The Time Dilation Formula is:

t' = t / √(1 - v²/c²)

Where:
t' = time measured by the observer (on Earth)
t = time experienced by the traveler
v = velocity of the traveler
c = speed of light (299,792,458 meters per second)