Orange main-sequence star · Centaurus

Toliman

Also known as: α² Centauri (α² Cen), HIP 71681

mag 1.44 light-years

About

Toliman (α² Centauri) is an orange main-sequence star of magnitude 1.4 in Centaurus, about 4 light-years away.

Toliman is in the constellation Centaurus.
Best evenings: around mid-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 19° 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.

EyesA first-magnitude star, obvious even from a city. 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	Toliman
Designation	α² Centauri (α² Cen)
Hipparcos number	HIP 71681
Type	Orange main-sequence star
Spectral type	K1V
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 0.90
Magnitude	1.4The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	4 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 2022.
Proper motion	3.71″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension (J2000)	14h 39m 37.2s
Declination (J2000)	−60° 50′ 18″