Proxima Centauri is a star that belongs to the galaxy of the Milky Way. It is the closest star to Earth after the sun, located at a distance of approximately 4.24 light-years. Proxima Centauri is often referred to as Alpha Centauri C, as it is a part of the Alpha Centauri system, which includes two other stars, namely Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B. Other synonyms for Proxima Centauri include V645 Centauri, HIP 70890, and Gliese 551. These synonyms offer astronomers and astrophysicists a more precise way to refer to this important celestial body in their studies.