Stars · Yellow star
Alpha Centauri A
4.37 light-years · Light crosses it in 5.7 seconds
- Across
- 1.7 million km
- Vs Earth
- 1.22× Sun
- Mass
- 1.08 Suns
Open Alpha Centauri A in Cosmic Scale
About
Alpha Centauri A is the closest star to the Sun that is genuinely Sun-like: same type, slightly larger and brighter, and about the same age. If any star's planets get visited first, they will probably be these.
The Sun's closest look-alike neighbour.
At a glance
| Distance | 4.37 light-years |
|---|---|
| Surface | 5,790 K |
| Brightness | 1.5 Suns |
| Type | Yellow dwarf, like the Sun |
Did you know
- The system has three stars: A, B, and distant little Proxima.
- A candidate planet in its habitable zone was reported in 2021 and is still being checked.
- Seen from there, our Sun would be a modest star in the constellation Cassiopeia.
Real photo
- Webb's view of Alpha Centauri A, with a possible giant planet (S1) found in 2025 — NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, A. Sanghi (Caltech), C. Beichman (JPL), D. Mawet (Caltech), J. DePasquale (STScI) (CC BY 4.0) · source