|
|
|
Alpha Centauri and some interstellar
objects |
|
Object description:
Alpha Centauri
Brilliantly and brightly shines on our image the near-sun star alpha
Centauri, which is also called Rigil Kentaurus or Toliman. The field of view
was chosen so that the image also shows 3 open star clusters NGC 5617, Pismis
19, Trumpler 22) and a planetary nebula (He-211 or PK 315.0-00.3).
|
|
Alpha
Centauri is a physical double star (Centauri A+B) and after Proxima Centauri
(Centauri C) the closest fixed star to the Sun. Alpha Centauri consists of the
brighter yellow star Alpha Centauri A and the orange colored Alpha Centauri B.
The apparent separation of both stars is currently just under 6 arc seconds and
the distance to the Sun is 4.34 light years. The orbital period of both stars
around their common center of gravity is just under 80 years.
Alpha
Centauri A is of the same spectral type (G2 V) and has similar physical
dimensions as the Sun and it is considered the closest "solar twin" to Earth.
Alpha Centauri B is of spectral type K1 and is slightly smaller than our Sun
and also a bit cooler. Both stars are with an estimated age of about 6.5
billion years significantly older than our Sun.
«
Click here the thumbnail to load a large annoted
image. |
|
Images, proper motion and information about Proxima Centauri
are shown here.
Images and information about the 3 open star clusters and the
planetary nebula
are shown here.
» Older "Lucky Imaging" image of Alpha Centauri A + B by us,
taken in the primary focus of the Celestron 14. Unfortunately, further image
information is no longer available. |
|
|
|
|
|
All Images and all Content are ©
by Franz Hofmann + Wolfgang Paech |