Beta Centauri, also known as Beta Cen, is a bright star located in the constellation of Centaurus. It is one of the closest stars to Earth, situated approximately 4.3 light-years away. Beta Cen is a binary star system, consisting of two massive stars, which are both much larger and hotter than our Sun. The primary star, Beta Centauri A, is a blue giant, while its companion, Beta Centauri B, is a slightly smaller blue giant. Together, they are among the brightest stars in the night sky and are often used for navigation in the Southern Hemisphere. Their combined brightness makes them easily visible to the naked eye.