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Star Facts: Closeness Sirius's closest approach to our solar system comes in 60000 years, where it will be 7.15 light years away. By then Sirius will shine at a magnitude of -2.27. Sirius's magnitude is -1.42 today and is 8.63 light years away. Alpha Centauri's closest approach is in 38000 years from now where it will shine at a magnitude -1.11 and be 2.90 light years away. Right now Alpha Centauri shines at magnitude -0.27 and is 4.34 light years away. Barnard's Star comes even closer than Alpha Centauri in 9800 when it will be only 1.5 light years away. Unfortunately, it will still be invisible to the naked eye. (It goes from magnitude 9.5 to 8.6). Ross 248 will come just a bit closer than Barnard's star. 1,400,000 years ago, the bright star Canopus was only 17 light-years away and appeared as bright as Venus. |