False Cross
The False Cross is an asterism formed by four bright stars in the constellations Vela and Carina. Located in the far southern sky, the diamond-shaped… Read More »False Cross
Southern Pointers
Coalsack Nebula
The Coalsack Nebula is one of the best known dark nebulae in the sky, along with the nearby Dark Doodad Nebula and the Horsehead Nebula. The Coalsack is located in the southern constellation Crux and overlaps into the neighbouring constellations Musca and Centaurus.
The dark cloud of cold gas and dust lies at a distance of 600 light years from Earth and is about 30 to 35 light years across.
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Alpha Centauri
Alpha Centauri is the nearest star system to the Sun, located at a distance of only 4.37 light years or 1.34 parsecs from Earth. It is the brightest star in Centaurus constellation and the third brightest star in sky.
Alpha Centauri is only slightly brighter than Arcturus in Boötes constellation and Vega in Lyra. The star is also known as Rigil Kent, Rigil Kentaurus, or Toliman.
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