What is the closest star to Earth beyond the Sun?

Proxima Centauri is the closest known star to Earth, positioned just over 4.24 light-years away. It is part of the Alpha Centauri star system, which includes other stars such as Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B, making Proxima Centauri the nearest neighbor in the stellar context. Its proximity to Earth also provides a unique opportunity for astronomers to study potentially habitable exoplanets, as Proxima Centauri hosts at least one confirmed exoplanet within its habitable zone.

Other options do not represent the closest star. Alpha Centauri, while part of the same star system, is slightly farther away than Proxima Centauri. Betelgeuse, a red supergiant, is significantly farther from Earth, located around 640 light-years away, and Sirius, the brightest star in our night sky, is also much more distant at about 8.6 light-years away. This makes Proxima Centauri the correct answer for the question of the closest star beyond the Sun.