Constellation · Cru
Crux
The Southern Cross
The smallest of the 88 constellations. Its long axis points toward the south celestial pole, and it holds the Coalsack dark nebula and the Jewel Box cluster.
Magnitude 0.77
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (spring in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Crux
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Acrux (Alpha¹ Crucis)mag 0.77
- Mimosa (Beta Crucis)mag 1.25
- Gacrux (Gamma Crucis)mag 1.59
- Imai (Delta Crucis)mag 2.79
- Ginan (Epsilon Crucis)mag 3.59
Can you see Crux from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Crux |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Never rises |
| 40°N | Never rises |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
| 60°S | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
Questions about Crux
When is Crux best seen?
Crux stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in May. That makes spring evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Crux?
The brightest star in Crux is Acrux (Alpha¹ Crucis), magnitude 0.77.
Where on Earth can you see Crux?
The whole of Crux can be seen from latitudes between about 90°S and 25°N. From 40°N: Never rises. From 35°S: Visible all night, all year (it never sets).
What does Crux mean?
Crux is Latin for "the Southern Cross". Added by European astronomers in the 1500s and early 1600s.