文字稿
從天文學的角度來講，距太陽系最近的適宜人居住的星球或許就在我們附近。一組科學家通過調查發現，有一顆地球大小的行星正繞著離太陽系最近的恒星—比鄰星的軌道運行，且它所處的位置可能為該星球表面產生液態水提供條件。請聽 David Shukman 的報道。
Until 20 years ago, no one knew there were planets beyond the ones we have in our own Solar System. But thousands have recently been discovered orbiting distant stars. And the Holy Grail has been defined (as)?one that might conceivably be habitable and, ideally, as close to us as possible.
Proxima b is slightly larger than Earth and orbits its star at the right distance for liquid water to exist at the surface. That might mean that life is possible there. On the other hand, the planet would be vulnerable to massive flares of radiation.
Proxima b is just over four light years away, so it would take something like 70,000 years to get there with a conventional rocket. Although there are ideas for far more rapid space travel.
詞匯表
beyond ?比……更遠，遠于
Solar System 太陽系
orbiting （天體）沿（恒星或行星的）軌道運行著
distant stars 遙遠的恒星；遠方的星球
the Holy Grail 極難找到或得到的事物（原意為“圣杯”）
conceivably 有可能
habitable 適于居住的，可居住的
liquid water 液態水
vulnerable to 容易受……影響的
flares （近似耀斑的）能量爆發
light years 光年
conventional 常規的，普通的
rapid 快的，迅速的
space travel 太空旅行
測驗
請聽報道并回答下列問題。
1. How large is Proxima b compared to the Earth?
2. How long would it take to get to the planet with a conventional rocket?
3. True or false? There might be life on Proxima b.
4. Which word in the text means 'the top layer or outer part of something'?
答案
1. How large is Proxima b compared to the Earth?
It is slightly larger than Earth.
2. How long would it take to get to the planet with a conventional rocket?
It would take about 70,000 years to get to the planet with a conventional rocket.
3. True or false? There might be life on Proxima b.
True. Proxima b orbits around its star at the right distance for liquid water to exist, which might mean that life is possible there.
4. Which word in the text means 'the top layer or outer part of something'?
Surface.
