Star profile

Ginan

Epsilon Crucis · Crux

3D likeness based on its real data · class K · ~4,200 K

What is Ginan

Ginan is one of the names given by the Wardaman tradition of northern Australia to this orange star of the Southern Cross, formally adopted by the IAU as recognition of Aboriginal astronomy. At 230 light-years, its warm light travels for more than two centuries along the same path it followed when the first European navigators were attempting to chart the southern coasts with newly refined sextants.

Where it is and when to see it

Ginan lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is April, 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 63° up.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 30° N.

It ranks no. 5 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 230 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Ginan

Constellation: Crux
Apparent magnitude: 3.59
Distance: 229.9 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 185.340° · Dec -60.401°
Catalogue: HIP 60260 · HD 107446

A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.

Other stars in Crux

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

See all 32 stars in Crux