Centaurus constellation

Centaurus is an ancient constellation depicting a creature that is half man, half horse, often identified with the wise Chiron, teacher of many Greek heroes. It is one of the largest constellations and contains the nearest star system to the Sun, Rigil Kentaurus and Toliman, about 4.4 light years away; the faint red dwarf Proxima Centauri belongs to the same system. Hadar is another very bright star, and together the two point towards the Southern Cross. Centaurus also holds Omega Centauri, the largest globular cluster of the Milky Way, and the striking radio galaxy Centaurus A. From Central Europe, only the northern parts, including the star Menkent, creep just above the southern horizon on spring evenings. The brightest stars and Omega Centauri stay below the horizon.