Description
Overview:
Centaurus (pronouced sen tor' us) is the 9th largest constellation in the night sky with
an area of 1060 square degrees. The name of Centaurus means Centaur.
Location:
Centaurus is located at RA 13 h and Declination -50°.
Centaurus is best seen between the latitudes +30° and -90° in the month of May.
Centaurus is adjacent to the following constellations: Antlia,
Carina,
Circinus,
Crux,
Hydra,
Libra,
Lupus,
Musca,
Vela.
Stars:
Centaurus contains within its borders approximately 101 visible stars. The principal star of Centaurus is Rigil Kent. The brightest of Centaurus's stars is Proxima Centauri (a Cen C) (4.22 ly).
Centaurus also contains within its boundries the following notable stars: Hadar,
Menkent,
Rigilkent.
Brightness:
Centaurus is the 72nd brightest of the 88 constellations with a brightness of 9.56.
