Cen 3.379, identified as Heng, is a remarkable star within the Cen constellation, located at RA 207.3760°, Dec -41.6878° , a measurable distance of 405.3 light years. This star’s magnitude is 3.379, placing it comfortably within the brightness range of a
Heng holds significance within the Cen constellation not through visual splendor, but due to its relatively recent formation history compared to some other stars within the same region. Its brightness, while not unusually high, suggests an early life phase, hinting at the potential for a denser stellar core. Unlike many earlier stars, Heng doesn’t fit the pattern of known stellar evolution, demonstrating that the conditions within its immediate neighborhood have subtly altered its trajectory. Considering its age relative to the wider cosmic stage, it’s a compelling example of stellar evolution – a star born and rapidly maturing in a specific locality.
It is a notable exception to the general rule of stellar lifespan, frequently observed within the Cygnus constellation – a comparatively bright, somewhat older star. The star presents a unique perspective in the expansive cosmos: its relatively low luminosity and its location—within the Cen constellation’s core— offer an independent data point in galactic studies. This kind of stellar object, standing alone and relatively safe from intervening gravitational influence, represents the epitome of stability and longevity, though its story is still being fully unearthed.
How to see it
Heng has a visual magnitude of about 3.38: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Heng: right ascension 13h 49m 30s, declination −41° 41′ 16″ (J2000), in the region of the Centaurus constellation (IAU figure Cen).
Catalog context
Heng. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation Nu Cen, HIP 67464, HD 120307, Gaia DR3 6112195451032545024. In the SkyKeepsake Centaurus (Cen) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 6112195451032545024
- HIP
- 67464
- HD
- 120307
- gaia_dr3
- 6112195451032545024
- Bayer / Flamsteed
- Nu Cen
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 3.38