How is the distance measured between earth and the next closest star outside of our solar system?

1 Answer
Aug 2, 2016

Nearest * is Proxima Centauri, at a distance of about 4.22 light years.

Explanation:

A triad of *s, in the northern sky, named #alpha#-Centauri (A, B,

Proxima), is in the range (4.22 - 4.35) light year (ly) distance, from us.

A and B are bright. Yet, the less luminous Proxima is the nearest at

about 4.22 ly distance.

The quoted reference gives graphical depiction of how the

distances are measured.

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/features/cosmic/nearest_star_info.html