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Rigil Kentaurus, Rigil Kent, Toliman, Bungula, FK5 538, CP(D)âˆ'60°5483, GC 19728, CCDM J14396-6050 α Cen A Gl 559 A, HR 5459, HD 128620, GCTP 3309.00, LHS 50, SAO 252838, HIP 71683 ...
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The best known star of the constellation alpha Cen (arab.: foot of the centaur), known as Rigil Kentaurus (often short Rigil Kent), was not only long thought to be the closest star to our sun but is as well an occulting binary system.
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Alpha Centauri is also known as Rigil Kentaurus, from the Arabic meaning ‘centaur's foot'.
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Alpha Centauri is best known by the name " Rigil Kentaurus", or the Centaur's foot. This is a triple system, three stars which are the closest to our own Sun. Alpha1 and alpha2 Centauri form a noted binary (see below). They are 4.
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The next closest star, Rigil Kentaurus (α Centauri), is slightly brighter than the Sun, and is the third-brightest star in the sky.
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See also: Rigil Kent, Taurus, Star, Constellation, Sun

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