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What is the Closest Star to Earth Video for Kids

                                         The Closest Star to Earth

Alpha Centauri is the closest star to earth. It is 4.37 light years away from our planet. It is not a single star. It is a star system that has three stars, Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B and Proxima Centauri. But in our sky, it is visible as one single star. It is the third brightest star in the earth’s sky. Proxima Centauri, a red dwarf is too faint to be seen even with a small telescope. Alpha Centauri A is the brightest star of the system. It is a yellow star and 25% larger than the Sun. Alpha Centauri B is an orange star but a bit smaller than the Sun.

Fast Facts: –

  • It is the closest star to earth but still, it would take any of our current spacecraft more than 50,000 years to reach it.
  • Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B revolve around each other once every 80 years.
  • This star system is located in the southern part of the sky’s dome so it is not visible beyond 29 degrees north.
  • The Alpha Centauri was first discovered by an English explorer, Robert Hues.
  • Proxima Centauri is our Sun’s closest neighbor among the stars.
  • Alpha Centauri A and B are about 0.2 light-years away from the Sun.
  • Proxima Centauri was discovered in 1915 by a Scottish astronomer Robert Innes.
  • It is believed that Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B are formed about 4.85 billion years ago. This makes them 250 million years older than the Sun.
  • Alpha Centauri B sends solar flares to space.
  • Alpha Centauri A has the same spectral classification as our Sun and has many other similar characteristics.