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Glite Dictionary
Alpha Centauri

Alpha Centauri

7.1
A very bright star in the Centaurus group and the second nearest star system to the Sun
  • proper noun
  • /ˈælfə sɛnˈtɔri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Alpha Centauri
  • Alpha Centauri is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Centaurus.

Examples

  • Alpha Centauri is located approximately 4.37 light years away from Earth, making it the second closest Alpha Centauri star system to the Sun.

  • Many scientists study Alpha Centauri to understand more about star formations and the characteristics of bright stars.

  • Alpha Centauri is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Centaurus.

Synonyms

Rigil Kent
vsAlpha Centauri
9.9

Old name for Alpha Centauri, the bright star in Centaurus and the second closest star to the Sun

is the modern standard designation rather than the older traditional form
Rigil
vsAlpha Centauri
9.9

Bright star in the Centaurus constellation, one of the stars closest to the Sun

is the official catalog designation rather than the proper name

Surface Forms

Alpha Centauri main

Morphology

alpha + Centauri

The element 'alpha' signals 'first' or 'primary', and paired with 'Centauri' (the genitive of the constellation name Centaurus) could hint that this is the principal object of Centaurus; however, understanding that this is the name of a specific star/system and the convention that 'alpha' marks the brightest star requires astronomical naming knowledge beyond B1. As a proper name built from specialised terms, the relation is partially inferable but not fully predictable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Alpha Centauri gets its name from old star naming: Alpha means 'first' and marks the brightest star, and Centauri shows it belongs to the Centaur star group. So the name gives a simple picture — the 'first' bright star in that group, which fits why we use it for this bright, nearby star.