Crux Constellation Myths and Facts

Crux: The Southern Cross

Pronunciation: CRUCKS/CROOKS
Crux, The Southern Cross
Crux as depicted by Johannes Hevelius in his Firmamentum Sobiescianum sive Uranographia (1687). Source image provided by www.RareMaps.com — Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc.
Crux Constellation Profile
Abbreviation: Cru Genitive: Crucis
Origin: Ancient Location: Southern Hemisphere
Best View (North): Best View (South):
Bordering Constellations: Musca, Circinus, Centaurus

The Myth Behind the Constellation Crux

Crux, “The Sothern Cross” is a modern creation.  In ancient times it was considered part of Centaurus.  It first appeared in its modern form on the globe of Petrus Plancius in 1598 and Johann Bayer included it in his Uranometria of 1603.

Crux Constellation Points of Interest

Interesting stars and objects.

Bright Stars in Crux

These are the stars in Crux with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.
Name Bayer Name Magnitude Color Luminosity Distance
Acrux Alpha Crucis 0.77  Blue-White 29,703 suns 321 ly
Mimosa, Becrux Beta Crucis 1.25  Blue 21,135 suns 352 ly
Gacrux Gamma Crucis 1.59  Red 1,316 suns 88 ly
Delta Crucis Delta Crucis 2.79  Blue-White 3,231 suns 364 ly