Centaurus

A large southern constellation holding the nearest stars to the Sun.

Show me Centaurus in my sky

Its two brightest stars point to the Southern Cross. Alpha Centauri is the closest star system to us, 4.4 light-years away.

Facts

Also called: The Centaur
How to find it: Two bright pointer stars next to the Southern Cross
Best seen: April to June (southern hemisphere)

Understand it

What is a constellation?

A pattern of stars that people named, and today an official area of the sky.

Why do the stars circle the North Star?

Polaris sits almost exactly above Earth's axis, so as we spin, it stays put while the rest of the sky turns around it.