2) distances near and beyond the solar system a) we discussed in class that the closest star besides the sun is alpha centauri, which is 4.4 light years away. if it takes 8 light minutes for the light to come from the sun to earth, and 4.4 years from alpha centauri, how much further is alpha centauri compared to the sun? b) how long would it take to get to alpha centauri if you were flying with a (science fiction) spaceship that goes at 1/1000th the speed of light? (discussed in class! ) c) how long would it take to get to alpha centauri with the fast current space craft, called juno, that goes at 266,000 km/h (or 165,000 mph)?