Which star is the closest to Earth, excluding the sun, and how far away is it?

Proxima Centauri is indeed the closest star to Earth after the Sun, located approximately 4.2 light years away. This proximity makes it a significant point of interest in the study of stellar and planetary systems, especially since Proxima Centauri is part of the larger Alpha Centauri star system along with Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B. The relatively close distance allows for detailed study of this star and any planets that may orbit it, which is particularly relevant in the search for potentially habitable exoplanets.

Sirius and Betelgeuse, while well-known stars in the sky, are much farther away from Earth. Sirius is around 8.6 light years distant, and Betelgeuse’s distance of approximately 642 light years places it far beyond Proxima Centauri. Alpha Centauri A, although part of the same system as Proxima Centauri, is still farther away at about 4.4 light years. This established distance hierarchy highlights why Proxima Centauri is the correct answer in this context.