Centaurus

(Redirected from Centaurus (constellation))

Centaurus is a constellation in the southern hemisphere of the night sky. It is named after a centaur, which is a creature that is half man and half horse. The astronomer named Ptolemy listed Centaurus when he made a list of 48 constellations. Centaurus is also one of the 88 constellations that were made by the International Astronomical Union.

Centaurus
Centaurus
Click for larger image
List of stars in Centaurus
Abbreviation: Cen
Genitive: Centauri
Symbology:
Right ascension: 13 h
Declination: −50°
Area: 1060 sq. deg. (9th)
Main stars: 11
Bayer/Flamsteed stars: 69
Stars known to have planets: 14
Bright stars: 10
Nearby stars: 8
Brightest star: α Cen (−0.27m)
Nearest star: Proxima Centauri (α Cen C) ( ly)
Messier objects: 0
Meteor showers: Alpha 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 Constellation chart

In the direction of Centaurus is the Shapley Supercluster or Shapl (SCl 124). This is the largest concentration of galaxies in our nearby universe.



Centaurus Media