Pronunciation:

(KRUKS)

Abbreviation:

Cru

  Genitive:

Crucis

Right Ascension:

12 hours

  Declination:

-60 degrees

Area in Square Degrees:

68

Crosses Meridian:

9 PM, May 10

Visible Between Latitudes:

20 and -90 degrees

The constellation Crux, the southern cross, is a constellation in the southern hemisphere of the sky. It is only visible from latitudes south of 27 degrees. It is completely below the horizon in most parts of the northern hemisphere. It is the smallest constellation in the night sky with a total area of only 68 square degrees. It is bordered by the constellations Centaurus on the east, north and west, and Musca to the south. Crux is one of the most familiar constellations in the southern hemisphere. It is an easy constellation to identify, due to its obvious cross shape and bright stars. Since the southern hemisphere does not have a bright star near its pole, Crux was used by sailors as a navigational aid. They would draw a line using the stars in the cross in order to determine the location of the south celestial pole, which is actually located in the constellation Ocatans.

Crux was considered to be part of the constellation Centaurus by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the second century. The Greeks were able to see the celestial cross before it disappeared below the horizon due the procession of the Earth’s axis. Some linked the disappearance of the cross with the crucifixion of Christ. By the year 400, the stars were no longer visible from Europe. The Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius was the first to separate the stars into their own constellation in 1592. The Southern Cross carried special significance for many cultures in the southern hemisphere. The ancient Inca knew the constellation as Chakana, which means “the stair”. The Mori called it Te Punga, which meant “the anchor.” To the ancient aboriginal people of Australia, it represented part of the head of the Emu in the Sky. It is represented on the Australian flag and on the flag of Brazil.