What is the name of the star closest to our solar system (besides the sun)?

The closest star to our solar system, after the Sun, is Proxima Centauri. It is part of the Alpha Centauri star system, which also includes Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B. Proxima Centauri is significant not only for its proximity—approximately 4.24 light-years away from Earth—but also because it has been of great interest in the search for exoplanets that may potentially support life. This star is a red dwarf and is notable for its variability in brightness and relatively low temperature compared to our Sun. Understanding its characteristics helps researchers learn more about stellar evolution and the potential for habitable environments around other stars.