Centaurus constellation
Centaurus (the Centaur) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in May. Its brightest star is Rigil Kentaurus (magnitude −0.27). Centaurus covers 1,060 square degrees and is the 9th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Centaurus
Facts
| Latin name | Centaurus (genitive: Centauri) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Cen |
| Meaning | the Centaur |
| Area | 1,060 square degrees (9th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 13.1 h, declination −48° |
| Visible from | latitudes 25° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | May (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Rigil Kentaurus |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 168 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 4 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Antlia, Carina, Circinus, Crux, Hydra, Lupus, Musca, Vela |
How to find Centaurus
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in May evenings: at about 9 pm Centaurus stands highest, around 2° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the south, about 77° above the horizon. The months before and after (April and June) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Centaurus borders Antlia, Carina, Circinus, Crux, Hydra, Lupus, Musca and Vela.
Asterisms with stars in Centaurus: Southern Pointers.
Stars of Centaurus
Centaurus has 168 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigil Kentaurus | α1 Centauri | −0.27 | G2V | 4 ly |
| Hadar | β Centauri | 0.61 | B1III | 390 ly |
| Toliman | α2 Centauri | 1.33 | K1V | 4 ly |
| Menkent | θ Centauri | 2.06 | K0-IIIb | 59 ly |
| — | γ Centauri | 2.17 | A1IV | — |
| — | ε Centauri | 2.3 | B1III | — |
| — | η Centauri | 2.31 | B1.5Vne | — |
| — | ζ Centauri | 2.55 | B2.5IV | — |
| — | δ Centauri | 2.6 | B2IVne | — |
| — | ι Centauri | 2.75 | A2V | — |
| — | μ Centauri | 3.04 | B2IV-Ve | — |
| — | λ Centauri | 3.13 | B9III | — |
Printable Centaurus map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Centaurus figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Centaurus is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the Almagest (2nd century AD). Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Centaurus
What is the brightest star in Centaurus?
Rigil Kentaurus, at magnitude −0.27, about 4 light-years away.
When can you see Centaurus?
Centaurus is best seen in the evening in May. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 25° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Centaurus?
168 stars in Centaurus are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 4 of them have official IAU names.
What does Centaurus mean?
Centaurus means “the Centaur” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Cen and the genitive, used in star names such as α1 Centauri, is Centauri.
