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> The Southern Cross constellation

The Southern Cross constellation

author: C.Picking/Novapix

reference: a-cst26-00007

Image Size 300 DPI: 26 * 17 cm

With the lack of a significant pole star in the southern sky (Sigma Octantis is closest to the pole, but is so faint as to be useless for the purpose), two of the stars of Crux (Alpha and Gamma, Acrux and Gacrux respectively) are commonly used to mark south. Following the line defined by the two stars for approximately 4.5 times the distance between them leads to a point close to the Southern Celestial Pole. 

Keywords for this photo:

2006 - ASTRONOMY - COAL SACK - CONSTELLATION - CRUX - DARK NEBULA - ETA CARINAE - NEBULA - NGC 3372 - SOUTHERN CROSS - SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - STAR -