[astroron (Ron)]

A good 8" scope under ideal conditions sees down to mag 14.5 depending on the acuity of the observer, so you should have no problem seeing a mag 11.5 star, it is just knowing that you have the right one.
I have seen a 14th mag supernova in my 8" SCT.
Well done all who have observed Proxima, but just think what our sun looks like from that distance.