Constellation · Cen
Centaurus
The Centaur
Contains Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to the Sun, and Omega Centauri, the largest and brightest globular cluster visible from Earth.
Magnitude -0.01
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (spring in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Centaurus
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Rigil Kentaurus (Alpha¹ Centauri)mag -0.01
- Hadar (Beta Centauri)mag 0.61
- Toliman (Alpha² Centauri)mag 1.35
- Menkent (Theta Centauri)mag 2.06
- Muhlifain (Gamma Centauri)mag 2.20
- Alnair (Zeta Centauri)mag 2.55
Can you see Centaurus from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Centaurus |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Never rises |
| 40°N | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
Questions about Centaurus
When is Centaurus best seen?
Centaurus stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in May. That makes spring evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Centaurus?
The brightest star in Centaurus is Rigil Kentaurus (Alpha¹ Centauri), magnitude -0.01.
Where on Earth can you see Centaurus?
The whole of Centaurus can be seen from latitudes between about 90°S and 25°N. From 40°N: Only part of it ever clears the horizon. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Centaurus mean?
Centaurus is Latin for "the Centaur". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).