Centaurus is found in the southern sky, and isn't visible much above 25 degrees latitude, but it is one of the most important constellations in the sky, containing the brightest and most impressive globular cluster in the sky, as well as the closest star to Earth. It is the classic Centaur - half man, half horse - of mythology, named Chiron. According to legend he was wise and benevolent, and tutored Hercules, the son of Zeus. When Hercules accidentally shot and killed Chiron with a poisoned arrow, he asked Zeus to immortalize his beloved teacher by placing his image in the sky. He is seen straddling probably the most famous and most distinguishable constellation in the southern sky: Crux (the southern cross). Chiron carries a spear, with which he threatens the wolf, Lupus, placed in the sky beside him.

Centaurus contains the third brightest star in the night sky: Alpha Centauri.
This star is actually a triple star system, and one of these stars has been labelled Proxima Centauri,
because it has the important distinction of being the closest star to Earth,
4.3 light years away (a mere 25 trillion miles).




Centaurus also contains the brightest globular cluster in the sky, easily visible to the naked eye,
Omega Centauri (NGC5139).




Centaurus is also full of galaxies, the four brightest shown below.

NGC 5128 (magnitude 7.2)




NGC 4945 (magnitude 9.2)




NGC 5102 (magnitude 10.8)




NGC 5253 (magnitude 10.8)

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