Proxima Centauri (also known as Alpha Centauri C) is the star closest to our Sun at ~4.25 light years away. It is part of the three star system called Alpha Centauri, orbiting the Alpha Centauri AB pair at a distince of about .21 light years and with a orbital period of 550,000 years. The mass of Proxima Centauri is about 1/8th the mass of our sun, making it a red dwarf star. There are 2 planets confirmed to orbit Proxima Centauri.