<P> Alpha Centauri ( α Centauri , abbreviated Alpha Cen , α Cen ) is the closest star system to the Solar System , being 4.37 light - years ( 1.34 pc ) from the Sun . It consists of three stars : Alpha Centauri A ( also named Rigil Kentaurus ) and Alpha Centauri B , which form the binary star Alpha Centauri AB , and a small and faint red dwarf , Alpha Centauri C ( also named Proxima Centauri ) , which is loosely gravitationally bound and orbiting the other two at a current distance of about 13,000 astronomical units ( 0.21 ly ) . To the unaided eye , the two main components appear as a single point of light with an apparent visual magnitude of − 0.27 , forming the brightest star in the southern constellation of Centaurus and is the third - brightest star in the night sky , outshone only by Sirius and Canopus . </P>
what is alpha centauri 's approximate distance from earth
4.37 light - years ( 1.34 pc )