Gamma Centauri (γ Cen / γ Centauri) is a star in the constellation Centaurus. It also has the traditional name Muhlifain (not to be confused with Muliphein, which is Gamma Canis Majoris; both names derive from the same Arabic root). The Pleiades star cluster A star is a massive body of plasma in outer space that is currently producing or has produced energy through nuclear fusion. ... Orion is a remarkable constellation, visible from most places on the globe (but not always the whole year long). ... Centaurus (Latin for centaur) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and counts also among the 88 modern constellations. ...

Gamma Centauri is a double star approximately 130 light years from Earth, which consists of two spectral type A0 stars each of apparent magnitude +2.9. For the resolution of the double star system a telescope of at least 15 centimeters in aperture is necessary. Double Star is a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein. ... A light year, abbreviated ly, is the distance light travels in one year: roughly 9. ... Earth, also known as Terra, and (mostly in the 19th century) Tellus, is the third-closest planet to the Sun. ... In astronomy, stellar classification is a classification of stars based initially on photospheric temperature and its associated spectral characteristics, and subsequently refined in terms of other characteristics. ... The apparent magnitude (m) of a star, planet or other heavenly body is a measure of its apparent brightness; that is, the amount of light received from the object. ...

• Coordinates (equinox 2000,0)
  • Right ascension: 12h41m31.00s
  • Declination: −48°57'35.0"