Lalande 21185: The Nearest Planetary System? ... It may well be planets of the dim red dwarf star cataloged as Lalande 21185 -- a mere 8 light years distant. This star is too faint to be seen by the naked eye and its planets have not been imaged directly . ... Nevertheless, the existence of a planetary system so near our own suggests the intriguing possibility that planets are common in our galaxy. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...