Proxima Centauri (meaning "the closest (star) of the Centaur (constellation)"), also known as Alpha Centauri C or Alpha Proxima is the nearest star to the Sol system with a distance of only 4.22 light years. It is a red dwarf main sequence star (spectral class M5V), orbiting the double star Alpha Centauri at a distance of approximately 13,000 AU. It has a planetary system of its own with a settlement on the Proxima colony. (ENT: "Borderland")
- In an scene apparently cut from TOS: "Wolf in the Fold", a reference was made to Alpha Proxima II, that was later replaced in the dialog, but survived in numerous subsequent references. It is likely, if indeed this planet existed as it appears to have intended to in the original reference, it would have been the location of yet another colony, or possibly an alternate name for the Proxima colony.
In the 24th century, Proxima Centauri is home to Starfleet's Proxima Maintenance Yards. Under the command of Admiral Drazman in 2371, Commander Benjamin Sisko, Doctor Julian Bashir and Lt. Jadzia Dax planned to visit the Yards in that year. (DS9: "Past Tense, Part I")
The Federation starship USS Proxima was named for this system.
- As of 2024, it is not clear whether Alpha Centauri C is truly a member of the Alpha Centauri system or just passes it.
- As of 2024 the chance remains for a possible (although still inconclusive) discovery of an actual, real-life planet orbiting Proxima Centauri. However, the object's status remains unclear, until followup by upcoming NASA planet-finding missions, such as the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF).
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