Crux

Crux (IPA: /ˈkrʊks/), commonly known as the Southern Cross, is a constellation that can be seen by people in the Southern Hemisphere. Its four brightest stars are in the shape of a cross. The name Crux is the Latin word for a cross. It is a small constellation, but the four main stars are bright, so the cross shape is easily seen in the sky. Each of the four stars has an apparent visual magnitude brighter than +2.8. The four stars point approximately in the directions of north, south, east and west.

Crux

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List of stars in Crux
Abbreviation:	Cru
Genitive:	Crucis
Symbology:
Right ascension:	12.5h h
Declination:	−60°°
Area:	68 sq. deg. (88th)
Main stars:	4
Bayer/Flamsteed stars:	19
Stars known to have planets:	2
Bright stars:	5
Nearby stars:	0
Brightest star:	Acrux (α Cru) (0.87m)
Nearest star:	η Cru ( ly)
Messier objects:	0
Meteor showers:	Crucids
Bordering constellations:	Centaurus Musca
Visible at latitudes between +20° and −90° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of May

The Southern Cross

Crux was first described by the Italian navigator Andrea Corsali in 1515. In the past, sailors used Crux to help with navigating across oceans.

The Southern Cross is used as a symbol in many Southern Hemisphere countries and states. It appears on the flags of Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.

It was used on the flag flown by miners in Ballarat, Victoria, during the 1854 rebellion known as the Eureka Stockade. The flag has been used as a symbol of protest in Australia since then.

Crux Media

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  Depiction of the Crux by João Faras in May 1500

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  Southern Cross from New Zealand

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  Deep exposure of Crux, Coalsack Nebula, and IC 2944

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  Locating the south celestial pole

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  The constellation Crux as it can be seen by the naked eye

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  Crux with clouds, from Cape Town

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  Crux, appearing on a number of flags and insignia

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  Brazil's National Order of the Southern Cross

Related pages

• Northern Cross