alpha centauri
DESCRIPTION
Renee Felker. Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri Was often called Rigel Kentaurus. Rigel Kentaurus means “foot of the centaur” in Arabic. Its Name:. It’s the 3 rd brightest star in the sky. And a member of the triple star system. Famous for:. Apparent Visual Magnitude=-0.3 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ALPHA CENTAURIRenee Felker
ITS NAME:
Alpha Centauri Was often called Rigel Kentaurus.
Rigel Kentaurus means “foot of the centaur” in Arabic.
FAMOUS FOR:
It’s the 3rd brightest star in the sky. And a member of the triple star
system.
ITS MAGNITUDE:
Apparent Visual Magnitude=-0.3 Absolute Visible Magnitude Mv.=4.4
BEST TIME TO VIEW:
Never viewed from northern latitudes(around 40 degrees)
Traveling south below the earths surface, across the equator you will see it.
FACTS:
This star is a part of the constellation Centaurus.
Also the closest star system to the sun. Same type of star as the sun and believed to
harbor life.
Terrestrial Life Conditions:
Questions for Any Star
Sun AlphaCentauri A
AlphaCentauri B Proxima
On the main sequence ? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Of the right spectral type ? Yes Yes Maybe No
Constant in brightness ? Yes Yes Yes No
Old enough ? Yes Yes Yes No?
Rich in metals ? Yes Yes Yes ?
Has stable planetary orbits ?
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Could planets form ? Yes ? ? Yes
Do planets actually exist ? Yes ? ? ?
Small rocky planets possible ?
Yes Yes Yes Yes?
Planets in the life zone ? Yes Maybe Maybe No
ABOUT STAR:
Type= yellow- orange main sequence star.
Size= About same size as the sun. 40% brighter than the sun. 4.3 light years away.
PICTURES:
Sites:
http://aether.lbl.gov/www/classes/p139/speed/Alpha-Centauri.html
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=alpha+centauri+&FORM=BIFD
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap960526.html
http://www.windows2universe.org/the_universe/AllStarTop.html