Proxima Centauri
Star in Centaurus · 4.2 light-years
🔭 Explore Proxima Centauri in the 3D map →View Proxima Centauri images →| Type | Star |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Centaurus |
| Right ascension | 14h 29m 46s |
| Declination | −62° 41′ |
| Object distance | 4.2 light-years |
| Also known as | Alpha Cen C |
The single nearest star to the Sun — a small, cool red dwarf hosting at least one roughly Earth-mass planet in its habitable zone, Proxima b.
Observing Proxima Centauri
Proxima Centauri lies in the constellation Centaurus and is best placed in the evening sky around April. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It sits far enough south to be circumpolar from mid-southern latitudes, and never rises for most of the northern hemisphere.
See Proxima Centauri in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Proxima Centauri and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position and distance from the HYG stellar database (Hipparcos · Yale Bright Star · Gliese).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- The Sun — star
- Barnard's Star — star
- TRAPPIST-1 — star
- Sirius — star
- Rigil Kentaurus — star