Centaurus

Quick Facts

Star Diagram

About Centaurus

Of the several stories of centaurs in Greek mythology, it is generally thought that this constellation refers to Chiron, the king of the centaurs. Chiron was the son of Chronos and Philyra, the sea nymph. Philyra was sometimes drawn with Chrion on early maps of the celestial sphere. Chiron is credited for first leading the mortals to righteousness by teaching them to tell the truth.

In early drawings of this constellation, two centaurs are shown; the other one is thought to be Pholos. Chiron was the inventor of the constellations; he was proficient in music, botany, astronomy, devination and medicine, and was the teacher of Archilles. Pholos was the teacher of Hercules. Hercules accidently killed his friend Pholos with one of his posion-tipped arrows, and during the meelee, he accidently wounded Chiron. Since Chiron was immortal, he could not die from his wounds, and was in such pain and agony that Prometeus offered to exchange his immortality so that Chiron could find peace. Zeus placed Chiron in the sky.

Named Stars

Neighboring Constellations