Menkent

Menkent (θ Centauri) is a orange supergiant star in the constellation Centaurus. With an apparent magnitude of 2.06 it is the 54th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 59 light-years from Earth.

Finder chart showing where Menkent is in the constellation Centaurus
Menkent (circled) in Centaurus, with the surrounding constellations and bright stars.
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Facts

ConstellationCentaurus
Designationθ Centauri (Theta Centauri), HR 5288
Apparent magnitude2.06 (54th brightest)
Spectral typeK0-IIIb
Colororange (B−V 1.01)
Distanceabout 59 light-years
Right ascension14 h 6.7 min
Declination−36.37°
Best monthJune (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find Menkent

Menkent is in Centaurus. From 40° N it is highest in the south in June evenings, about 14° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 89° in the south. Nearby bright stars: Hadar (24° away), Rigil Kentaurus (25° away) and Toliman (25° away).

Centaurus constellation →

Other named stars in Centaurus

Rigil KentaurusHadarToliman

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