γ Centauri (gamma Centauri)

γ Centauri is a multiple sub-giant star in the constellation of Centaurus.

γ Centauri visual magnitude is 2.17. Thanks to its high brightness, γ Centauri is clearly visible when observed from locations with dark skyes, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.

The table below summarizes the key facts about γ Centauri:

Color of γ Centauri ⬤

Magnitude of γ Centauri 2.17

Class Sub-giant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW γ Centauri (gamma Centauri) is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change].

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of γ Centauri

γ Centauri is situated south of the celestial equator, as such, it is more easily visible from the southern emisphere. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of γ Centauri are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 12h 41m 30s

Declination J2000 -48° 57’ 34”

Galactic Longitude 301.26°

Galactic Latitude 13.88°

Constellation Centaurus

The simplified sky map below shows the position of γ Centauri in the sky:

Finder chart γ Centauri (gamma Centauri) star

Simplified finder chart for γ Centauri (gamma Centauri).

Visibility of γ Centauri from your location

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

γ Centauri (gamma Centauri) is currently not visible from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]

Digitized Sky Survey image of γ Centauri

The image below is a photograph of γ Centauri from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2 - see the credits section) taken in the red channel. The area of sky represented in the image is 0.5x0.5 degrees (30x30 arcmins). The proper motion of γ Centauri is -0.189 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.005 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 1000 years is represented with the red arrow.

Image of γ Centauri (gamma Centauri) star

DSS2 image of γ Centauri. The red arrow shows the motion of γ Centauri during the next 1000 years (-3.15 arcmin in Right Ascension and -0.08 arcmin in declination);

Distance of γ Centauri from the Sun and relative movement

γ Centauri is distant 130.35 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 6 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 39.98 pc

Distance (light year) 130.35 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity -6 km/s

Proper Motion RA -0.189 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.005 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of γ Centauri

γ Centauri belongs to spectral class A1 and has a luminosity class of IV corresponding to a sub-giant star.

Absolute magnitude -0.84

Spectral Type A1IV

Color Index (B-V) -0.01

Temperature of γ Centauri 10252K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where γ Centauri is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

H-R diagram showing the position of γ Centauri. Attribution: Richard Powell / CC BY-SA

γ Centauri star system properties

γ Centauri is a visual double star which can be observed with the help of medium or large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the γ Centauri double sysyem:

Main star magnitude 2.17

Secondary star magnitude 2.27

Magnitude difference 0.1

Separation 1.5 arcsec

Alternative designations of γ Centauri

Bayer designation γ Centauri
(gamma Centauri)

Henry Draper Catalogue HD110304

SAO Catalogue SAO223603

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP61932

Durchmusterung Catalogue CD-48 7597

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Other stars in Centaurus