Star profile

Gacrux

Gamma Crucis · Crux

Red giant

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

What is Gacrux

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.

Where it is and when to see it

Gacrux 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 67° up.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 33° N.

It ranks no. 3 in brightness among the 32 stars of Crux in our catalogue. To find it, start from Acrux, the brightest: it lies about 6° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 89 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

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A public signature from a real person. The chosen name is a symbolic denomination within Stelvia, with no official standing or IAU recognition: the sky is not for sale and belongs to no one.

Astronomical data for Gacrux

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

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