# Our Nearest Exoplanet: How Long Is the Trip?

Reproducible study using NASA Exoplanet Archive data downloaded on **2026-09-23**.

## Reproduce

Run from this directory with Python 3:

```bash
python3 reproduce.py
```

The script reads the included, unmodified NASA CSV and writes `journey_times.csv`
and `travel_time_comparison.png`. It requires Matplotlib for the chart; all numerical
work uses the Python standard library.

## Source query

NASA TAP table: `pscomppars`

```sql
select pl_name,hostname,sy_dist,sy_disterr1,sy_disterr2,disc_year,discoverymethod
from pscomppars
where sy_dist is not null
```

Service: https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/TAP/sync

Distance is interpreted in parsecs. Conversion: 1 pc = 3.2615637771674333 ly.
Earth-frame cruise time is D/v; onboard proper time is (D/v)/gamma, with
gamma = 1/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2). Distance uncertainties propagate linearly.
