Constellation
Crux - The Cross
Object name: Crux
Equatorial: RA: 12h 27m 15s Dec: -59°59'59"(current)
Equatorial 2000: RA: 12h 27m 00s Dec: -59°58'12"
Sky Database: Constellation
Type: Abbreviation: Cru
Constellation: Genitive Form: Crucis
Type: Description: The Cross
Remarks: Pronunciation: KRUHKS
Genitive Pronunciation: KROO' sis
Mythology
Crux - The Cross
The southern cross was first described
as a separate constellation by the Italian explorer Andreas Corsali
in 1516. The ancient Greeks had observed the stars of Crux, but
considered them a part of the constellation Centaurus. The
cross serves as a convenient pointer to the south celestial pole,
making it useful in navigation. The brightest star in Crux,
Alpha Cruxis, is a binary, or double star. Crux is the
smallest of the 88 constellations.
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