Story: Southern Cross

Stars of the Southern Cross

Stars of the Southern Cross

The bottom star of the cross is the brightest and is known as Alpha Crucis or Acrux. Delta Crucis makes up one end of the crossbar. Gamma Crucis is at the top of the cross, and Beta Crucis (Mimosa) is the second brightest star in the constellation and forms the other end of the crossbar. The fifth brightest star of the constellation, Epsilon Crucis, lies just below and towards the centre of the crossbar.

Base photograph: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Southern Cross - Stars and features of the cross', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/7487/stars-of-the-southern-cross (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 12 Jun 2006