The closest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri. It is part of the Alpha Centauri star system, located approximately 4.24 light-years away from us. Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star, which is significantly smaller and cooler than our sun. Its proximity has made it a topic of interest for astronomers, especially regarding the potential for habitable planets. In 2016, a planet named Proxima b was discovered orbiting this star, raising questions about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The study of Proxima Centauri and its planets continues to be a significant focus in astrophysics and exoplanet research.