Rigil Kentaurus
star · Centaurus · -0.0ᵐ
The closest star system to the Sun at 4.4 light years. A telescope splits it into two Sun-like stars.
Notable facts
About 254 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Rigil Kentaurus in?
Rigil Kentaurus lies in Centaurus.
Is Rigil Kentaurus visible to the naked eye?
-0.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Rigil Kentaurus?
Best observed in April.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 14h 40m · −60° 50′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Centaurus
- How to observe
- -0.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- G2V — yellow star (like the Sun)
- Absolute magnitude
- 4.4ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈1.5 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~4 light years
- Designation
- HIP 71683
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° | never rises | — |
| +30° | never rises | — |
| 0° | 29° | 151° |
| −35° | 64° · never sets | — |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 06:54 |
| February | 04:47 |
| March | 03:02 |
| April | 01:08 |
| May | 23:14 |
| June | 21:08 |
| July | 19:04 |
| August | 17:03 |
| September | 15:10 |
| October | 13:21 |
| November | 11:20 |
| December | 09:12 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.