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Gacrux

Gamma Crucis

Red Star in Crux

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Proper Name	Gacrux
Bayer Designation	Gamma Crucis
Flamsteed Number	None
HR (BSC)	4763
HD	108903
Constellation	Crux
Right Ascension	12h 31m 10s
Declination	-57° 6' 48"
Distance	89 light years 27 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +1.6 to +1.7 Absolute: -0.6 to -0.5
Spectral Class	M4 Red Giant
Optimum Visibility	April (Usually visible from southern latitudes)
Notes	The third brightest of the stars that make up Crux the Cross, the red colouration of Gacrux contrasts against the three blue stars that make up the Cross' other three arms. There is indirect evidence that Gacrux has a white dwarf companion, though this companion has yet to be directly observed.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

The Galactic position and direction of Gacrux relative to Earth's Sun. Note that, at this extreme scale, the two stars are effectively in the same place.

The crowning star of the Southern Cross is Gacrux or Gamma Crucis, 89 light years (27 parsecs) from Earth. This is a red giant star, indicating that it is reaching the end of its stellar lifespan. It is a binary (that is, it has an less luminous and smaller companion star), and is also variable - its brightness changes over time.

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