Centaurus

stellar constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere

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
Constellation
Centaurus
AbbreviationCen
GenitiveCentauri
Pronunciation/sɛnˈtɔːrəs/, genitive /sɛnˈtɔːr/
Symbolismthe Centaur
Right ascension13
Declination−50
QuadrantSQ3
Area1060 sq. deg. (9th)
Main stars11
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
69
Stars with planets14
Stars brighter than 3.00m10
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)8
Brightest starα Cen (−0.27m)
Messier objects0
Meteor showersAlpha 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.