The Sun's Nearest Star
Below is a map of the nearest stars to Earth in our galaxy followed by a few points of explanation including a list of the stars featured in the map. You can also buy this map as a print for inspiration at home or work.
![Map of the nearest stars to Earth in our galaxy](img/suns-nearest.png)
Map Explained
![Diagram explaining astronical unit](img/au.jpg)
Where is Earth?
Earth isn't visible in the diagram above because the scale is too large to show 1 Astronomical Unit (the distance between Earth and the Sun). There are 63,241.1 AU’s in 1 light-year which means that the Earth is actually hidden well within the yellow circle used to symbolise the Sun.
![Diagram explaining astronical unit](img/au-08.jpg)
Orientation
To understand this diagram, try to imagine you are looking towards the Sun from a great distance (beyond 12 light-years). The stars surrounding the Sun have been plotted using their angular position from the celestial equator which is actually the Earth’s Equator projected onto the night’s sky.
![Diagram explaining astronical unit](img/au-06.jpg)
Scale
The measurements in the scale above are for distances parallel to the declination plane. However the featured stars are not exactly on this plane, and as a result, distances appear shortened.
![Diagram explaining Alpha Centauri star system](img/au-01.jpg)
Star System
Alpha Centauri is actually two stars named Alpha Centauri A and B, making it a binary star system. There is speculation that Proxima Centauri is a part of A and B’s star system. As a result, Proxima is sometimes called Alpha Centauri C.
![Proxima Centauri planet diagram](img/au-04.jpg)
Planets
An Earth-sized planet has been found orbiting Proxima Centauri named Proxima b. Interestingly, Proxima b also appears to be within the habitable zone, the area in which liquid water can be present and therefore has the potential for life.
![Diagram showing Proxima Centauri in the night sky](img/au-02.jpg)
In The Night Sky
Proxima Centauri can be found near the Centaurus constellation and is highlighted in gold in the diagram above. A telescope is needed to see Proxima. However, Alpha Centauri is Proxima’s much brighter neighbour and is visible to the naked eye.
![Diagram showing Proxima Centauri in the night sky](img/au-03.jpg)
Where on Earth
Viewing either Proxima or Alpha Centauri from Earth requires looking from a location below around 29˚ latitude. Neither is visible from most of North America and Europe, but both stars are visible from Africa and South America.
Star List
1. The Sun
0.00001581 light-years away (or 1AU)
2. Proxima Centauri
4.2 light-years away
3. Alpha Centauri
4.4 light-years away