Question

complete the paragraph to explain why proxima centauri does not orbit the sun.
proxima centauri is so
the sun that the suns gravity is
to pull proxima centauri into orbit around it. proxima centauri is much
two sun - like stars, alpha centauri a and b. because of this, alpha centauri a and b have a
gravitational influence on proxima centauri than the sun does. proxima centauri orbits around alpha centauri a and b, rather than orbiting the sun.

Explanation:

1. The image shows the Sun with a 2 light-year radius arc; Proxima Centauri is ~4.2 light-years from the Sun, so it is far from the Sun.
2. Gravity weakens with distance, so the Sun's gravity is too weak to pull Proxima Centauri into orbit.
3. Proxima Centauri is part of the Alpha Centauri system, meaning it is much closer to Alpha Centauri A and B.
4. Closer objects exert stronger gravity, so Alpha Centauri A and B have a stronger gravitational influence than the Sun.

Answer:

Proxima Centauri is so far from the Sun that the Sun's gravity is too weak to pull Proxima Centauri into orbit around it. Proxima Centauri is much closer to two sun-like stars, Alpha Centauri A and B. Because of this, Alpha Centauri A and B have a stronger gravitational influence on Proxima Centauri than the Sun does. Proxima Centauri orbits around Alpha Centauri A and B, rather than orbiting the Sun.