Constellation · Gru
Grus
The Crane
A southern constellation of long, bird-like shape, whose brightest star is Alnair (Alpha Gruis).
Magnitude 1.73
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (autumn 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 Grus
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Alnair (Alpha Gruis)mag 1.73
- Tiaki (Beta Gruis)mag 2.07
- Aldhanab (Gamma Gruis)mag 3.00
Can you see Grus 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 | Grus |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Never rises |
| 40°N | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 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 | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
Questions about Grus
When is Grus best seen?
Grus stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in October. That makes autumn evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Grus?
The brightest star in Grus is Alnair (Alpha Gruis), magnitude 1.73.
Where on Earth can you see Grus?
The whole of Grus can be seen from latitudes between about 90°S and 34°N. From 40°N: Only part of it ever clears the horizon. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Grus mean?
Grus is Latin for "the Crane". Charted by Dutch navigators in the late 1500s.