What is the closest star to the Sun?

The closest star to the Sun, apart from the Sun itself, is Proxima Centauri.

Proxima Centauri is a small red dwarf about 4.2465 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus. It is gravitationally associated with the brighter binary pair Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B, making it the third known component of the Alpha Centauri system. Its name means “nearest of Centaurus.”

Although it is our nearest stellar neighbour, Proxima is too faint to see with the unaided eye. It is an active flare star, meaning its brightness can increase dramatically when magnetic energy is released. Astronomers have also detected planets orbiting it, including Proxima Centauri b, a roughly Earth-mass planet in the star’s habitable zone, though habitability is uncertain because of Proxima’s intense stellar activity.

Alpha Centauri A is often confused with the answer because it is part of the same system, but Proxima is currently closer to the Sun.