Star profile

Eta Crucis

3D likeness based on its real data · class F · ~6,500 K

What is Eta Crucis

Eta Crucis sits within the Southern Cross, the most celebrated emblem of austral skies. At just 64 light-years, it is one of the genuinely nearby members of its constellation —a yellow-white F-type star, somewhat hotter than the Sun and roughly twice as massive. Though it does not crown the Cross's four bright points, its proximity makes it one of the most thoroughly studied stars of the asterism.

Where it is and when to see it

Eta Crucis lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is May, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it never rises above the horizon.
From New York it never rises above the horizon.
From Sydney it never sets and culminates about 59° up.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 25° N.

It ranks no. 8 in brightness among the 32 stars of Crux in our catalogue. To find it, start from Acrux, the brightest: it lies about 3° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 64 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Eta Crucis

Constellation: Crux
Apparent magnitude: 4.14
Distance: 64.4 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 181.720° · Dec -64.614°
Catalogue: HIP 59072 · HD 105211

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Other stars in Crux

Crux has 32 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 32 stars in Crux