Alpha Centauri is a system.
Alpha Centauri ( α Centauri , abbreviated Alpha Cen , α Cen ) is the closest star system to the Solar System , being 4.37 ly from the Sun . It consists of three stars : the double star Alpha Centauri A ( also named Rigil Kentaurus ) and Alpha Centauri B together with a small and faint red dwarf , Alpha Centauri C ( also named Proxima Centauri ) , that may be gravitationally bound to the other two .