There are, in fact, three Alpha Centauris in the universe. Alpha Centauri A, also known as Rigil Kent, has 110% of the mass our own sun has and 151.9% of the luminosity of the sun. Alpha Centauri B has 90.7% of the mass our sun has and 44.5% of the luminosity of the sun. These two stars have a 79.91 earth-year orbit. The third one, Proxima Centauri or Alpha Centauri C, is located 4.24 light years from our own sun and yet is not visible to the naked eye.
*Note: 1 "light year" is equal to the distance covered by light in one year.
Below is a photo showing Alpha Centauri A & B.
Robert Hues, an English Explorer, originally brought Alpha Centauri to the attention of scientists in his 1592 work, Tractatus de Globis, noting "Now, therefore, there are but three stars of the first magnitude that I could perceive in all. those parts which are never seen here in England. The first of these is that bright star in the sterne of Argo which they call Canobus. The second one is in the end of Eridanus. The third is in the right foot of the Centaure."The binary nature of Alpha Centauri was first recognized in December 1689 by astronomer and priest Jean Richaud. His finding was made incidentally while observing a passing comet from his station in Puducherry.
The star culminates each year at midnight on April 24 or at 9 p.m. on June 8. It is popular for many to go stargazing on these awaited nights.
Below is a photo of Alpha Centauri from the Digitized Sky Survey 2, one of the most beautiful photos of Alpha Centauri, concluding this informational article.
