ALPHA CENTAURI (rigil kentaurus)
DISTANCE: 4.4 ly (light years from earth)
APPARENT MAGNITUDE: −0.01 m
SPECTRAL CLASS: G2 V
Alpha Centauri is part of a double (maybe triple) star system. Taken by itself, Alpha Centauri A is the 4th brightest star seen from Earth, just slightly outshone by Arcturus. However, the combined light of Alpha Centauri A and B is slightly greater than Arcturus, so in that sense it could be considered the third brightest. They are an average of 4.4 light-years away. The double nature of Alpha Centauri is clearly revealed in a small telescope, although Proxima Centauri is too faint and appears too far (4 diameters of the full moon) away to be easily recognized at part of the system. The actual status of Proxima as a system member is unclear. It may simple be passing nearby but not part of the system.
DISTANCE: 4.4 ly (light years from earth)
APPARENT MAGNITUDE: −0.01 m
SPECTRAL CLASS: G2 V
Alpha Centauri is part of a double (maybe triple) star system. Taken by itself, Alpha Centauri A is the 4th brightest star seen from Earth, just slightly outshone by Arcturus. However, the combined light of Alpha Centauri A and B is slightly greater than Arcturus, so in that sense it could be considered the third brightest. They are an average of 4.4 light-years away. The double nature of Alpha Centauri is clearly revealed in a small telescope, although Proxima Centauri is too faint and appears too far (4 diameters of the full moon) away to be easily recognized at part of the system. The actual status of Proxima as a system member is unclear. It may simple be passing nearby but not part of the system.
