V Centauri — Variable Star in Centaurus
Excellent (62/100)
Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
6.93
Range
6.43 - 7.21
Period
5.5 days
Variable Type
Classical Cepheid
Spectral Type
F5Ia
supergiant
Star Color
Orange
(B-V 0.91)
2Position & Identifiers
RA
14h 32m 32.9s
Dec
-56° 53' 16.0"
Constellation
Centaurus
(Cen)
HR
5421
HIP
71116
HD
127297
SAO
241777
Variable ID
V Cen
Querying VizieR catalog...
3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
6.4 – 7.2 mag
Amplitude
0.8 mag
Period
5.49 d
Type
DCEP
Sign in
and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | V. hard | Imp. | Imp. |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Medium+ | Medium+ | Medium+ |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Best season
Mar – May
(peak: Apr)
5Survey Image
Loading survey image…
6Light Curve
7Comparison Stars for V Cen (6.4–7.2)
Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)
Loading comparison stars…
Explore
8
Size Comparison
Querying VizieR for stellar data…
9
Compare Stars
10
Spectral Classification
11
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Loading HR diagram…
12
Stellar Lifecycle
13
Blackbody Spectrum
14
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
15
Stellar Fusion
Discover
16Stellar Notes
CDelta 6.43 - 7.21V, 5.493839d.
Also classified F5Ib/II-G0.
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
NGC 5662
Rich open cluster
Open Cluster
mag 5.5
0.5°
Centaurus
V716 Cen
Eclipsing binary, period 1.5d
Variable Star
mag 6.11
3.5°
Centaurus
R Cen
Mira-type variable, range 5.3–11.8
Variable Star
mag 6.39
3.7°
Centaurus
Rigil Kentaurus
HIP 71681; Alpha1 Centauri
Easy double, sep 9.4″
Double Star
mag -0.01
4.1°
Centaurus
AX Cir
Pulsating variable, period 5.3d
Variable Star
mag 5.87
7.3°
Circinus
C84
NGC 5286
Globular cluster — dense ball of ancient stars
Globular Cluster
mag 7.6
8.7°
Centaurus
Explore Nightbase
Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.
Arthur Eddington
1919 eclipse expedition confirming general relativity; first theory of stellar interiors; the Eddington limit
Biography
Variable Stars — A Guide for Observers
A practical guide to visual observation of variable stars: estimating magnitudes, finding comparison stars, recording data, and contributing to science with AAVSO.
Article
Centaurus
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
