Alpha Centauri is the closest star, or rather stars, for it forms a system comprised of three stars.
     Two of these, the more visible members, are 4.393 light years away. They form a double with an orbit of 79.9 years. The 2000.0 values are 222º and a separation of 14.1".

The dimmest member, Proxima Centauri, is the closest star to the Solar System, 4.221 light years away. This red dwarf has a visual magnitude of 11.0, therefore even with telescopes it's an adventure to find.

Alpha¹ and alpha² are easily seen in the southern hemisphere, just to the east of the Southern Cross: binoculars.

In the same field of view is Hadar, beta Centauri, also a bright (but more difficult) double.