Mu ARAE

Mu Arae is a potentially inhabitable planetary system about 50 light years away. It is a likely candidate for the NASA planet finder progam. The orbit of an Earth-like planet (with liquid water) around Mu Arae may be centered around 1.3 AU -- between the orbital distances of Earth and Mars in the Solar System -- with an orbital period around 1.31 years (478 days). The interstellar space craft shown in the 2 images below was modeled in Bryce 5.0 and was intended to emphasize the gargantuan fuel needs of an interstellar craft with a propulsion system even as efficient as an anti-matter system. This craft was modeled after the Beam Core Matter / Anti-matter Annihiliation concept. A system that, if it existed, would produce vast amounts of deadly radiation, and therefore would not be too practical for a prolonged manned flight.