Tau Ceti

Tau Ceti (τ Cet / τ Ceti) is a star commonly mentioned by science fiction authors since it is similar to the Sun in mass and spectral type in addition to being relatively close to us. However, Tau Ceti is a "metal-deficient" star and therefore unlikely to have rocky planets around it.

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In 2004 a team of UK astronomers led by Jane Greaves discovered that Tau Ceti has more than ten times the amount of cometary and asteroidal material orbiting it than the Sun does. This was determined by measuring the disc of cold dust orbiting the star produced by collisions between such small bodies. This result puts a damper on the possibility of complex life in this system, as planets there would suffer from large impact events roughly ten times more frequently than Earth. On the bright side, this does tip the scales in favour of the star having planets.

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Tau Ceti can be seen with the unaided eye as a faint star in the constellation of Cetus.

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Star: :This article is about celestial bodies....

Science fiction: Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology upon society and persons as individuals. In common with most fiction, science fiction is written mainly to entertain people. The borders of this genre are not well defined, and the...

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Tau Ceti related Images and Photos (experimental)

Animal House - Delta Tau Chi House