What star, next to the Sun, is nearest to Earth?
Answer
Proxima Centauri
What star, next to the Sun, is nearest to Earth? Proxima Centauri is the correct answer.
Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf in the Alpha Centauri star system. It lies approximately 4.25 light-years from Earth, making it the nearest individual star beyond the Sun.
Alpha Centauri usually refers to the binary pair Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B, which are slightly farther away. Proxima Centauri is gravitationally associated with that pair and is also designated Alpha Centauri C.
Because Proxima Centauri is faint, it cannot be seen with the unaided eye despite its proximity. The system is located in the constellation Centaurus.