Stars · Orange dwarf
Alpha Centauri B
4.37 light-years · Light crosses it in 4 seconds
- Across
- 1.2 million km
- Vs Earth
- 0.86× Sun
- Mass
- 0.91 Suns
Open Alpha Centauri B in Cosmic Scale
About
Alpha Centauri B is the slightly smaller, cooler partner in the closest star system to the Sun. Together with Alpha Centauri A it forms a bright pair that looks like a single star to the naked eye, with Proxima orbiting far out.
Part of the closest star system to the Sun.
At a glance
| Distance | 4.37 light-years |
|---|---|
| Surface | 5,260 K |
| Orbit | 80 years around its twin |
| Type | Orange dwarf |
Did you know
- The two stars swing between 11 and 36 times the Earth–Sun distance apart.
- Alpha Centauri is the third-brightest star in the night sky, but is only visible from below about 29° north.
- Breakthrough Starshot proposes firing gram-scale probes here with lasers, arriving in about 20 years.