The Centaur
Centaurus
Genitive: Centauri · abbreviation Cen
Best evening month
May
Visible from
90°S to 50°N
Centre RA
13h 18m 00s
Centre Dec
−40° 00′
In your sky
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Mythology & origin
Often identified with Chiron, the wise centaur who tutored heroes such as Achilles and Asclepius. Alpha Centauri is the nearest star system to the Sun.
Ptolemy · Almagest, 2nd century AD
Brightest stars
- mag -0.01
Rigil Kentaurus
α1 Centauri · HIP 71683
- mag 0.61
Hadar
β Centauri · HIP 68702
- mag 1.35
Toliman
α2 Centauri · HIP 71681
- mag 2.06
Menkent
θ Centauri · HIP 68933
- mag 2.20
Muhlifain
γ Centauri · HIP 61932
- mag 2.29
ε Centauri
HIP 66657
- mag 2.33
η Centauri
HIP 71352
- mag 2.55
Alnair
ζ Centauri · HIP 68002
- mag 2.58
δ Centauri
HIP 59196
- mag 2.75
ι Centauri
HIP 65109
