Centaurus the Centaur is a constellation mendacity in Southern Hemisphere skies. The constellation is large, rating ninth largest of the 88 constellations. It sits to this point south that in the event you reside about 25 degrees north latitude, you received’t be capable to see it. The Centaur incorporates the three closest known stars to the sun.
Closest stars to the sun
Alpha Centauri, often known as Rigil Kentaurus, is the closest star to our sun. It lies 4.3 light-years away. As a result of it’s so shut, it seems vibrant. The truth is, it’s the third brightest star within the sky, shining at magnitude -0.27.
Alpha Centauri is a three-star system. Alpha Centauri A and B are each sunlike stars, with A outshining B. The third star, nonetheless, is a faint red dwarf. This star, Alpha Centauri C, is often known as Proxima Centauri. That’s as a result of out of the three stars within the system, it’s the closest to Earth. By itself, it shines at eleventh magnitude.
Different stars of Centaurus the Centaur
Solely 4.5 degrees from Alpha Centauri is Beta Centauri, often known as Hadar.
Beta Centauri is magnitude 0.61 and lies 348 light-years away. This blue-white supergiant is the eleventh brightest star within the sky. Certainly, when in comparison with its vibrant neighbor Alpha, appears to be like distinctly bluer. As well as, it’s additionally a three-star system.
Alpha and Beta additionally bear the nickname of the Southern Pointer stars as a result of they’ll information you to the Southern Cross, or Crux, and the south celestial pole.
Likewise, one different notable named star in Centaurus is Menkent, or Theta Centauri. It lies 24 levels north of Alpha and Beta. Theta is magnitude 2.06 and lies 61 light-years away.
Omega Centauri, the Working Hen and a Blue Planetary
One of the best-known deep-sky object within the constellation of the Centaur is Omega Centauri (NGC 5139). Omega Centauri is an impressive globular cluster that lies about midway between Beta and Theta Centauri and some levels west. The truth is, at magnitude 3.7, you possibly can spot the cluster with out optical assist. However binoculars or a small telescope deliver out its wonders. This crowded cluster is an outdated assortment of stars in our galaxy about 15,800 light-years away. The globular cluster is about 12 billion years outdated.
Equally, the Working Hen is a quirkily nicknamed cluster and fuel cloud for IC 2944 in Centaurus. It lies on the opposite facet of Crux from Alpha and Beta Centauri, the place Centaurus wraps across the Southern Cross. On the southern tip of Centaurus, this star cluster with nebulosity shines at magnitude 4. The star Lambda Centauri is right here, together with darkish clouds that stick out in entrance of the background nebulosity. These darkish clouds are referred to as Bok globules.
The last-deep sky goal is NGC 3918, referred to as the Blue Planetary. This planetary nebula shines at magnitude 8 and lies about 6 levels north of the Working Hen. It bears a resemblance to Neptune by means of a telescope.
Backside line: Centaurus the Centaur is a constellation present in Southern Hemisphere skies that incorporates a few of the closest stars to our sun.
