Menkent
star · Centaurus · 2.1ᵐ
Orange star in Centaurus.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Menkent around the year 1967.
About 38 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Menkent in?
Menkent lies in Centaurus.
Is Menkent visible to the naked eye?
2.1ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Menkent?
Best observed in April.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 14h 07m · −36° 22′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Centaurus
- How to observe
- 2.1ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- K0IIIb — orange star
- Absolute magnitude
- 0.8ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈42 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~59 light years
- Designation
- HIP 68933
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | never rises | — |
| +55° | never rises | — |
| +45° | 9° | 147° |
| +30° | 24° | 133° |
| 0° | 54° | 126° |
| −35° | 89° | 136° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 06:21 |
| February | 04:14 |
| March | 02:29 |
| April | 00:35 |
| May | 22:41 |
| June | 20:35 |
| July | 18:31 |
| August | 16:30 |
| September | 14:37 |
| October | 12:48 |
| November | 10:47 |
| December | 08:39 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.