Proxima Centauri is a small, low-mass star located 4.2465 light-years away from the Sun in the southern constellation of Centaurus. Its Latin name means the 'nearest [star] of Centaurus'. It was discovered in 1915 by Robert Innes and is the nearest-known star to the Sun.

Where is Proxima Centauri in the night sky?

Because of Proxima Centauri's southern declination, it can only be viewed south of latitude 27° N. Red dwarfs such as Proxima Centauri are too faint to be seen with the naked eye. Even from Alpha Centauri A or B, Proxima would only be seen as a fifth magnitude star.

How do you find Proxima Centauri?

The space diagram shows it at a steep southward angle from the sun. This angle (its declination -61°) means it doesn't peep above the horizon until you go down to the latitude of northern Florida; to see it properly you might go south of Earth's equator. The double star of Alpha Centauri.