Grus: The Crane
Pronunciation: GRUSS/GROOS
| Grus Constellation Profile | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation: Gru | Genitive: Gruis |
| Origin: Keyser/de Houtman | Location: Southern Hemisphere |
| Best View (North): Sept. | Best View (South): |
| Bordering Constellations: Tucana, Phoenix, Sculptor, Piscis Austrinus, Microscopium, Indus | |
The Myth Behind the Constellation Grus
Grus, “The Crane”, is one of the inventions of Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman, two Dutch navigators who observed the southern skies at the end of the sixteenth century. It is another of their creations based on animals. The crane was also considered a symbol of astronomy to the ancient Egyptians.Grus Constellation Points of Interest
Interesting stars and objects.Bright Stars in Grus
These are the stars in Grus with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.| Name | Bayer Name | Magnitude | Color | Luminosity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alnair | Alpha Gruis | 1.73 | Blue-White | 242 suns | 101 ly |
| Gruid | Beta Gruis | 2.07 | Red | 3,246 suns | 170 ly |
| Al Dhanab | Gamma Gruis | 3.00 | Blue-White | 390 suns | 203 ly |