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Alpha Centauri

Also known as Rigel Kent, Rigil Kentaurus, Toliman, Bungula, 2XMM J143933.0-605008, α Cen, α Centauri, LPM 534

triple star system in the constellation Centaurus, where one of the three stars, Proxima Centauri, being the closest star to the Earth

AI overview

Alpha Centauri is a system of three stars located in the constellation Centaurus, with one of them, Proxima Centauri, being the closest star to Earth. It matters because its proximity makes it a key target for scientific study and a natural focus for discussions about potential future human space exploration.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Demonym: Alpha Centaurian
Distance from Earth: 1.346
Radius: 1.227
Mass: 1.1
Image: Best image of Alpha Centauri A and B.jpg

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IPA transcription: ˈalfa ʦɛnˈtaʊ̯ʀi
Commons category: Alpha Centauri
catalog code: PM 14362-6038
parallax: 742
right ascension component of proper motion: -3600
color index: 0.23
Commons gallery: Alpha Centauri
orbital eccentricity: 0.516
radial velocity: -22.3
apparent magnitude: 0.4
absolute magnitude: 4.385
spectral class: G2V+K1V
metallicity: 0.25
right ascension: 219.873833060
declination: -60.832221940
effective temperature: 5781
surface gravity: 18000
luminosity: 1.519
declination component of proper motion: 705

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Article

Alpha Centauri (α Centauri, α Cen, or Alpha Cen) is a star system in the southern constellation of Centaurus. It consists of three stars: Rigil Kentaurus (α Centauri A), Toliman (α Centauri B), and Proxima Centauri (α Centauri C). Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the Sun at 4.2465 light-years (ly), which is 1.3020 parsecs (pc), while Alpha Centauri A and B are the nearest stars visible to the naked eye.

Rigil Kentaurus and Toliman are Sun-like stars (class G and K, respectively) that together form the binary star system α Centauri AB. To the naked eye, these two main components appear to be a single star with an apparent magnitude of −0.27. It is the brightest star in the constellation and the third-brightest in the night sky, outshone by only Sirius and Canopus. α Centauri AB are the nearest binary stars to the Sun at a distance of 4.344 ly (1.33 pc).