An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Centaur. A → constellation in the southern hemisphere covering an extensive area of about 1060 square degrees from R.A. 11 h to 15 h and
Dec. -30° to -64°. Abbreviation: Cen, genitive form: Centauri.

Centaurus is the ninth largest constellation in the sky, but it does not contain any → Messier objects.

The brightest star in constellation is → Alpha Centauri which is also the third brightest star in the sky. Beta Centauri, the second brightest star in Centaurus, also called → Hadar, is the eleventh brightest star in night sky. Among other bright stars of the constellation are: Menkent (θ Cen), γ Cen, ε Cen, and η Cen. There are three → meteor showers associated with the constellation: the Alpha Centaurids, the Omicron Centaurids, and the Theta Centaurids. The constellation contains several extragalactic objects, among which: Centaurus A (NGC 5128), Omega Centauri, and NGC 5139.

Etymology (EN): L. centaurus, from Gk. kentauros, cf. Av. gandarəwa- “a mythical monster killed by Kərəsâspa,” Skt. gandharva- “name of mythical beings related with Soma.”
In Gk. mythology, centaurs were half-man half-horse creatures living on Mount Pelion in Thessaly, northern Greece. They were followers of the wine god Dionysus and well known for drunkenness and carrying off helpless young maidens.

Etymology (PE): Kentâwros, from Gk. “Kentauros.” Arabicized Qenturis (قنطورس).