Second closest star to the sun (5,8)

I believe the answer is:

alpha centauri

(Other definitions for alpha centauri that I've seen before include "Third brightest star in the sky - run a caliphate (anag)" , "Bright southern star" , "Star nearest Earth" , "Nearest bright star to the solar system - run a caliphate (anag)" , "Brightest star in Centaurus" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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