Which constellation is the closest to Earth?
1 Answer
Sep 21, 2017
Arguably the constellation Centaurus is the closes to Earth.
Explanation:
Constellations are patterns of stars as viewed from Earth. The individual stars of a constellation are typically at very different distances from Earth. In fact over time the constellations change shape as the solar system and stars move through the galaxy.
The closest stars from Earth are in the constellation Centaurus, which is only visible from the southern hemisphere. Alpha Centauri is a triple star and one of them Proxima Centauri is the closest star to Earth at 4.2 light years away.
The constellation of Centaurus has 11 stars. Beta Centauri is much further away at 525 light years from Earth. Of the 11 stars 8 are within 10 light years from Earth.
