Centaurus

Centaurus
Constellation
Centaurus
AbbreviationCen
GenitiveCentauri
Pronunciation/sɛnˈtɔːrəs, -ˈtɑːr-/, genitive /sɛnˈtɔːr, -ˈtɔːri, -ˈtɑːri/
Symbolismthe Centaur
Right ascension11h 05m 20.9415s15h 03m 11.1071s[1]
Declination−29.9948788°–−64.6957885°[1]
Area1060 sq. deg. (9th)
Main stars11
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
69
Stars with planets15
Stars brighter than 3.00m10
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)8
Brightest starα Cen (−0.27m)
Messier objects0
Meteor showersAlpha Centaurids
Omicron Centaurids
Theta Centaurids
Bordering
constellations
Antlia
Carina
Circinus
Crux
Hydra
Libra (corner)
Lupus
Musca
Vela
Visible at latitudes between +25° and −90°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of May.

Centaurus /sɛnˈtɔːrəs, -ˈtɑːr-/ is a bright constellation in the southern sky. One of the largest constellations, Centaurus was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. In Greek mythology, Centaurus represents a centaur; a creature that is half human, half horse (another constellation named after a centaur is one from the zodiac: Sagittarius). Notable stars include Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to the Solar System, its neighbour in the sky Beta Centauri, and HR 5171, one of the largest stars yet discovered. The constellation also contains Omega Centauri, the brightest globular cluster as visible from Earth and the largest identified in the Milky Way, possibly a remnant of a dwarf galaxy.

  1. ^ a b "Centaurus, constellation boundary". The Constellations. Retrieved 15 February 2014.