Barnard's Star is a star in the constellation Ophiuchus which is notable for having the largest proper motion of any star (other than the Sun) as seen from Earth. This large proper motion was discovered by the astronomer E. E. Barnard in 1916.
Lying at a distance of about 6 light years, Barnard's Star is the fifth closest known star to Earth (see Star/Nearest). Only the Sun and the three components of the Alpha Centauri system are closer. But Barnard's Star is a red dwarf (spectral type M4), so despite its proximity it is too faint to see without a telescope or powerful binoculars. Its apparent magnitude is 9.54.
Barnard's Star is also known as HIP 87937, and various other unfriendly names.