Closest Star to Earth: Proxima Centauri

What is the Closest Star to Earth?

The closest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri, located 4.24 light-years (40 trillion kilometers) away in the Alpha Centauri system. It is a red dwarf star, the most common type of star in the universe. Proxima Centauri is also the closest star to our solar system other than the Sun.

Proxima Centauri's Characteristics

Proxima Centauri is a relatively small star, with a mass of only about 12% that of the Sun. It has a surface temperature of about 3,050 Kelvin (2,777 degrees Celsius) and emits most of its energy in the infrared spectrum. Proxima Centauri is also a variable star, meaning that its brightness fluctuates slightly over time.