Alpha Centauri

Observational Data
Designation |  Rigil Kentaurus
Alf Cen
Gliese 559A
Right ascension |  14h 39m 36.4940s[1][2]
Declination |  -60° 50′ 02.3737″[1][2]
Constellation |  Centaurus
Type of object |  Star
Magnitude |  Apparent Mag: -0.01[3]
Absolute Mag: +4.34/+4.39[3]
Astrometry
Distance from Earth |  4.32 ly[3]
Radial velocity |  -21.40 ± 0.76[1][4]
Proper motion |  RA: -3679.25 mas/yr[1][2]
Dec: 473.67 mas/yr[1][2]
Parallax |  743 ± 1.3 mas[1][5]

Alpha Centauri is a star in the constellation Centaurus and the third brightest in the sky.[6] Alpha Centauri is a double star system consisting of Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B. At 4.32 light years from Earth, Alpha Centauri is one of the closest star systems to the Solar System. Proxima Centauri is slightly closer to the Solar System than these 2 stars.

It was popular in science fiction and was the destination of the space traveling family in the TV show from the 1960s Lost in Space.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Alpha Centauri A. Simbad Astronomical Database. simbad.u-strasbg.fr. Retrieved on June 29, 2020.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Van Leeuwen, F. (2007). "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction.". stronomy and Astrophysics 474: 653-664. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357. Bibcode: 2007A&A...474..653V. arXiv:0708.1752
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Rigil Kentaurus (Alpha Centauri) Star Facts. universeguide.com. Retrieved on June 29, 2020.
4. ↑ Valenti, Jeff A.; Fischer, Debra A. (2005). "Spectroscopic Properties of Cool Stars (SPOCS). I. 1040 F, G, and K Dwarfs from Keck, Lick, and AAT Planet Search Programs". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series 159 (1): 141-166. doi:10.1086/430500. Bibcode: 2005ApJS..159..141V.
5. ↑ Pourbaix, Dimitri; Boffin, Henri M. J. (2016). "Parallax and masses of α Centauri revisited.". Astronomy and Astrophysics 586A: 90-90. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201527859. Bibcode: 2016A&A...586A..90P. arXiv:1601.01636
6. ↑ The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989

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