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public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
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All Constellations » 

Centaurus (The Centaur) Constellation

Altitude: -34.7°   Azimuth: 236.7°   Direction: West-South-West

Centaurus (pronounced sɛnˈtɔːrəs) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 51 degrees across the sky) situated south of the celestial equator. As such, it is more easily visible from the southern hemisphere.

In English language this constellation is also known as "The Centaur" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Cen" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Cent" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Centauri" (pronounced sɛnˈtɔːraɪ) and it is used to identify some of the brightest stars in this constellation based on the Bayer or Flamsteed star naming convention. For instance: α Centauri (the brightest star of Centaurus based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Centauri (the 23th star in the constellation of Centaurus based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Centaurus is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt.
Available Resources for Centaurus

Sky Chart of Centaurus Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Centaurus constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Centaurus in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Chart of  constellation
This constellation image is derivatve work based on original work by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) CC-BY-3.0.

Visibility of Centaurus Constellation

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Centaurus is currently not visible from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt

The rise and set times provided here are just directional indications and they refer to a point approximately placed at the center of the constellation. In case of very large constellations (like Centaurus actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Centaurus Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Centaurus constellation. See also the complete list of 279 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Centaurus. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR5459 α1 Centauri Rigil Kentaurus or Toliman -0.01 Multiple;
HR5267 β Centauri Hadar 0.61 Variable; Double;
HR5288 θ Centauri Menkent 2.06 Double;
HR4819 γ Centauri 2.17 Multiple;
HR5132 ε Centauri 2.3 Variable; Double;
HR5440 η Centauri 2.31 Variable;
HR5231 ζ Centauri 2.55
HR4621 δ Centauri 2.6 Variable; Multiple;
HR5028 ι Centauri 2.75
HR5193 μ Centauri 3.04 Variable; Double;
HR5576 κ Centauri 3.13 Variable; Double;
HR4467 λ Centauri 3.13 Double;
HR5190 ν Centauri 3.41 Variable;
HR5248 φ Centauri 3.83 Variable;
HR4802 τ Centauri 3.86
HR5249 υ1 Centauri 3.87
HR5089 3.88 Variable; Double;
HR4390 π Centauri 3.89 Double;
HR4743 σ Centauri 3.91
HR4638 ρ Centauri 3.96
...go to the complete list of 279 bright stars in the constellation of Centaurus

(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.

Deep Sky Objects in Centaurus Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Centaurus constellation. See also the complete list of 225 deep sky objects in the constellation of Centaurus. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
IC 2944 (Lambda Centauri Nebula) Star Cluster + Nebula 4.5 (B)
NGC 3766 (Pearl Cluster) Open Cluster 5.3 (V)
NGC 5138 Open Cluster 5.33 (V)
NGC 5139 (Omega Centauri) Globular Cluster 5.33 (V)
NGC 5662 Open Cluster 5.5 (V)
NGC 5460 Open Cluster 5.6 (V)
NGC 5281 Open Cluster 5.9 (V)
NGC 5316 Open Cluster 6 (V)
NGC 5617 Open Cluster 6.3 (V)
NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) Galaxy 6.84 (V)
NGC 3680 Open Cluster 7.6 (V)
NGC 5606 Open Cluster 7.7 (V)
NGC 3918 Planetary Nebula 8.1 (V)
NGC 3960 Open Cluster 8.3 (V)
NGC 5286 Globular Cluster 8.31 (V)
NGC 4852 Open Cluster 8.9 (V)
NGC 5168 Open Cluster 9.1 (V)
NGC 4230 Open Cluster 9.4 (V)
NGC 5102 Galaxy 9.65 (V)
IC 4291 Open Cluster 9.7 (V)
...go to the complete list of 225 deep sky objects in the constellation of Centaurus