Depiction of the Auriga constellation.

The galactic anticenter is a theoretical point in the sky that lies directly opposite the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Because this point is relative, it will vary depending on the location of the observer; it is not an actual fixed point in space. Most of the time, this term refers to the anticenter from the point of view of an observer on Earth. By definition, however, it can be found at the point in space such that the observer is placed directly between it and the galactic center. As a result, the distance between the anticenter and the observer is equal to that between the observer and the galactic center. This distance has been calculated to be 7.62±0.32 kpc (~25,000±1,000 ly).^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

From the perspective of an observer on Earth, the galactic anticenter appears within the constellation Auriga, and Alnath is the closest bright star to this point.

In terms of the galactic coordinate system, the galactic center in Sagittarius corresponds to a longitude of 0°, while the anticenter is located exactly at 180°. In the equatorial coordinate system, the anticenter is found at roughly R.A. 05h 46m, Dec. +28° 56'.^[7]

See also

• Anticenter shell
• Galactic Center

References

1. ↑
2. ↑
3. ↑
4. ↑
5. ↑ Majaess D. J., Turner D. G., Lane D. J. (2009). ''Characteristics of the Galaxy according to Cepheids'', MNRAS
6. ↑
7. ↑

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