Gacrux

Gam

Red giant

Its story

Gacrux is the red giant crowning the Southern Cross, one of the closest large stars to our solar system: a vast, cool sphere swollen near the end of its life. Its ruby hue stands out instantly against the blue-white of its three constellation companions. The light arriving tonight has been crossing space for nearly 89 years, having left Crux on the eve of the Second World War.

Constellation: Crux
Apparent magnitude: 1.59
Distance: 88.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 187.791° · Dec -57.113°
Catalogue: HIP 61084 · HD 108903

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