Acrux: A prominent constellation within the Crux constellation, it is a relatively bright star located within the southern skies. This star belongs to the constellation Crux, a sprawling arm of the southern Milky Way galaxy. Acrux’s position within the Cr

Acrux is notable because of its unusual placement and consistent brightness. It’s a “fixed star,” meaning it maintains a defined orientation in the sky, consistently presenting itself as a relatively distant point of light. Its relatively uniform luminosity makes it stand apart from many other stars within the Crux. While countless other stars are known to be bright and relatively distant, Acrux is a steady beacon in the northern parts of the sky for observers. Its relatively stable nature and easy visibility make it a popular target for astronomers and stargazers.

Considerably, Acrux has played a role in many folklore stories and traditions. In some cultures, it has been linked to symbolic meanings connected to the concept of guidance or direction. This connection may extend to the constellation’s position as a key marker along the Milky Way, acting as a ‘north star’ for travelers and navigators. It represents a landmark in the vast expanse of space, offering a tangible point against which to measure the scale and distance of our own solar system.

Its appearance in the night sky for centuries has engendered curiosity and wonder, often being considered part of the celestial scenery.

How to see it

Acrux has a visual magnitude of about 0.77: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Acrux: right ascension 12h 26m 36s, declination −63° 5′ 57″ (J2000), in the region of the Crux constellation (IAU figure Cru).

Crux — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Acrux. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation Alp1Cru, HIP 60718, HD 108248, Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-60718. In the SkyKeepsake Crux (Cru) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-60718

HIP

60718

HD

108248

gaia_dr3

HYG-HIP-60718

Bayer / Flamsteed

Alp1Cru

Also known as

• Alp1Cru
• Gaia DR3 TOP 5M HYG-HIP-60718
• HD 108248
• HIP 60718
• HYG-HIP-60718

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

0.77