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| name | created_by | created_date | updated_by | updated_date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centaurus | skybber | 2021-06-06 08:43:12.898913 | skybber | 2022-01-17 18:25:57.467788 |
A large, striking and object-rich constellation in the southern sky, the northern parts of which are still visible from central Europe in the spring months. The constellation's two brightest stars - α Centauri, also called Toliman or Rigil Centaurus - and β Centauri - Agena or Hadar - form the centaur's legs and are also a landmark for locating the South Celestial Pole and the Southern Cross. The latter was still part of the Centaurus in Ptolemy's time, only later becoming a separate constellation. Unfortunately, these regions are now too far south and cannot be seen from Europe. A rich Milky Way region passes through the southern part of the constellation and therefore, especially in its central and eastern part towards the Wolf Interface, we can observe several nice open clusters. By far the most famous object, however, is the impressive globular cluster Omega Centauri, the brightest in the entire sky. Also worth noting is the large and bright galaxy NGC 5128 in the center with its dark band, one of the strongest radio sources in the sky.
South of λ Centauri lies a dark nebula, called the False Coal Bag by southern observers, at the boundary between Centaurus, the keel and the Fly. While not as conspicuous by comparison because of a few foreground stars, it is considerably larger. Its contrast to its surroundings is not quite as stark, yet it is clearly visible compared to the Milky Way. The beautiful cluster Melotte 115, which consists of many faint stars, also appears in the triad near it. Near Alpha Centauri, a complex of dark clouds called the Trench begins, dividing the Milky Way in two. It gradually grows in width and continues to the centre of the Galaxy, because the beginning of the galaxy at Alpha Centauri is further away than the other end, so it is also narrower and more sharply defined at this point.