SkyRef / Constellations

The Crux constellation

Best placed in January. It is deep in the southern sky and never rises for most of the northern hemisphere.

Where and when

Best monthJanuary
Right ascension12.9h
Declination-62°
Line segments2

Finding it

Crux is centred near right ascension 12.9 hours, declination -62°. It is deep in the southern sky and never rises for most of the northern hemisphere.

It reaches its highest point in the sky around local midnight in January, which is when it is easiest to pick out. Earlier in the year it rises before dawn; later, it is already setting in the evening.

Bright stars in this part of the sky

StarMagnitudeCatalogue
Hadar0.61HR 5267
Mimosa1.25HR 4853
Acrux1.33HR 4730

See it on the live map

SkyRef draws Crux in its real position for wherever you are, right now, along with the other 88 IAU figures.

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Other constellations

AndromedaAntliaApusAquariusAquilaAraAriesAurigaBoötesCaelumCamelopardalisCancerCanes VenaticiCanis MajorCanis MinorCapricornusCarinaCassiopeiaCentaurusCepheusCetusChamaeleonCircinusColumbaComa BerenicesCorona AustrinaCorona BorealisCorvusCraterCruxCygnusDelphinusDoradoDracoEquuleusEridanusFornaxGeminiGrusHercules