Próxima Centauri vs Sirio
Between magnitude −1.44 and +11.01 lies a factor of 95,499 in the light that reaches the eye. Spectroscopically Próxima Centauri resolves as an M-type star in Centaurus and Sirio as an A-type star in Canis Major. Sirio is the remoter of the pair at 8.60 light-years, roughly 2.0 times the 4.23 that separates us from Próxima Centauri.
Property comparison
| Property | Próxima Centauri | Sirio |
|---|---|---|
| Designación | N/A | 9Alp CMa |
| Constelación | Centaurus | Canis Major |
| Clase Espectral | Class M — M-type (Red) | Class A — A-type (White) |
| Magnitud Aparente | +11.01 | -1.44 |
| Magnitud Absoluta | 15.45 | 1.45 |
| Distancia | 4.2 ly | 8.6 ly |
| Masa | N/A | N/A |
| Radio | N/A | N/A |
| Temperatura | N/A | N/A |
| Luminosidad | N/A | N/A |
Full data for each star: Próxima Centauri · Sirio
Key differences
Key Differences
- ◆ Sirius is a brilliant A-type star 8.6 ly away; Proxima Centauri is a faint M-type red dwarf at 4.24 ly.
- ◆ Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the Sun; Sirius is the closest naked-eye star in its direction.
- ◆ Sirius is 25.4 times more luminous than the Sun; Proxima Centauri produces only 0.17% of the Sun's light.
- ◆ Proxima Centauri hosts confirmed exoplanets in the habitable zone; Sirius has no known planets.
- ◆ Sirius shines at magnitude −1.46; Proxima Centauri at magnitude 11.1 is invisible to the naked eye.