SkyKeepsake page about the star Ginan
Ginan is a small, faint, blue-hued star located within the Cru constellation. Approximately 229.7 light-years from Earth, it boasts a magnitude of 3.104 – meaning it is easily visible to the naked eye as a faint twinkle in the night sky. The star’s coordinates are approximately RA 185.3385° and Dec -60.4007°. It presents as a variable star which can appear to move slightly along the celestial sphere.
Ginan is recognizable due to its relatively small size and its position within a bright region of the night sky. The star's luminosity is modest, yet its placement within a known stellar cluster – the Cru cluster – helps us understand its context. Its observed apparent magnitude suggests a moderate distance from Earth – easily measurable without specialized equipment. Its relatively low luminosity suggests a low activity level, possibly a relatively long lifespan, compared to other stellar types.
While it is uncommon for a star to exhibit such pronounced luminosity, Ginan's consistent brightness makes it a compelling target for ongoing astronomical studies. The choice of this star as a symbolic or significant reference points towards a deep historical, or even spiritual, connection.
The choice of a relatively dim star like Ginan as a dedication might suggest a wish for quiet contemplation or a focus on enduring stability. It represents a connection to the cosmos, far removed from the sudden movement, and intensity of the more flamboyant stars in the night.
How to see it
Ginan has a visual magnitude of about 3.10: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Ginan: right ascension 12h 21m 21s, declination −60° 24′ 3″ (J2000), in the region of the Crux constellation (IAU figure Cru).
Catalog context
Ginan. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation Eps Cru, HIP 60260, HD 107446, Gaia DR3 6058271964884299520. In the SkyKeepsake Crux (Cru) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 6058271964884299520
- HIP
- 60260
- HD
- 107446
- gaia_dr3
- 6058271964884299520
- Bayer / Flamsteed
- Eps Cru
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 3.10