Rigil Kentaurus

Rigil Kentaurus (α1 Centauri) is a yellow main-sequence star in the constellation Centaurus. With an apparent magnitude of −0.27 it is the 3rd-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 4 light-years from Earth.

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

ConstellationCentaurus
Designationα1 Centauri (Alpha Centauri), HR 5459
Apparent magnitude−0.27 (3rd brightest)
Spectral typeG2V
Coloryellow (B−V 0.71)
Distanceabout 4 light-years
Right ascension14 h 39.6 min
Declination−60.84°
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 Rigil Kentaurus

Rigil Kentaurus is in Centaurus. It never rises from 40° N. From 35° S it never sets. Nearby bright stars: Toliman (0° away), Hadar (4° away) and Mimosa (14° away).

Centaurus constellation →

Other named stars in Centaurus

HadarTolimanMenkent

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