Acrux

Alpha Crucis

Crux

0.76
Apparent Mag
320
Distance (ly)
B0.5IV
Spectral Type
28,000
Temperature (K)

Acrux is the brightest star in Crux (the Southern Cross) and the thirteenth-brightest in the night sky. It is a multiple star system dominated by two hot blue-white components.

Stellar Data

Apparent Magnitude0.76
Absolute Magnitude-4.19
Distance320 light-years
Spectral TypeB0.5IV
Temperature28,000 K
Luminosity25,000 L☉
Radius7.8 R☉
Mass17.8 M☉
Right Ascension12h 26m 35.9s
Declination-63° 05′ 56.7″
ConstellationCrux

Notable Facts

  • Acrux appears on the flags of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Brazil
  • It is a multiple star system with at least six components
  • The name is a contraction of Alpha Crucis

More Stars in Crux

View constellation