Centaurus constellation
Centaurus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the centaur. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 15 April, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 27°N to 90°S.
Centaurus at a glance
- Represents
- the centaur
- Highest at midnight
- 15 April
- Highest at 9 pm
- 30 May
- Seen whole from
- 27°N to 90°S
- Brightest star
- Rigil Kentaurus
- Stars in the figure
- 17 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
When to see Centaurus
Centaurus is highest in the sky at midnight around 15 April and at 9 pm around 30 May. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 5:50 AM |
| 15 February | 3:50 AM |
| 15 March | 2:00 AM |
| 15 April | 12:00 AM |
| 15 May | 10:00 PM |
| 15 June | 8:00 PM |
| 15 July | 6:00 PM |
| 15 August | 4:00 PM |
| 15 September | 2:00 PM |
| 15 October | 12:00 PM |
| 15 November | 10:00 AM |
| 15 December | 8:00 AM |
Where to look for Centaurus
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, only part of Centaurus rises. Its centre is highest around midnight on 15 April, 1° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Centaurus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 15 April, 76° above the southern horizon.
Brightest stars in Centaurus
| Star | Magnitude |
|---|---|
| Rigil Kentaurus | -0.27 |
| Hadar | 0.61 |
| Menkent | 2.06 |
Centaurus in myth and history
The centaur is usually said to be Chiron, the wise centaur of Greek myth who taught heroes such as Achilles and Jason.
Centaurus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Constellations next to Centaurus
Find Centaurus in your sky
Questions about Centaurus
Centaurus is highest in the sky at midnight around 15 April and at 9 pm around 30 May. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Centaurus rises above the horizon from 27°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 54°N to 90°S.
Rigil Kentaurus is the brightest star in Centaurus, at magnitude -0.27.
Centaurus represents the centaur. Centaurus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.