Orange giant · Centaurus

Menkent

Also known as: θ Centauri (θ Cen), HIP 68933

mag 2.159 light-years

About

Menkent (θ Centauri) is an orange giant of magnitude 2.1 in Centaurus, about 59 light-years away.

Menkent is in the constellation Centaurus.
Best evenings: around early June it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from south of 44° N.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesEasy, even from town. It has a clear orange tint.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Menkent
Designation	θ Centauri (θ Cen)
Hipparcos number	HIP 68933
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K0IIIb
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 1.01
Magnitude	2.1The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	59 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1967.
Proper motion	0.73″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension (J2000)	14h 06m 41.0s
Declination (J2000)	−36° 22′ 12″