Acrux (α Crucis) is the brightest star in the constellation Crux. Being very far south, it was not given a proper name in European cultures; the term Acrux is simply formed from Alpha and Crux.
With an apparent magnitude of 0.77 it is the southernmost first magnitude star. In fact, it is a multiple star system located about 320 light-years (LY) away.
| Acrux | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Crux |
| Right ascension | 12h 26m 35.9s |
| Declination | −63° 05′ 56.7″ |
| Apparent magnitude | 0.77 mag |
| Distance | (321 ± 21) ly |
| Bayer designation | α Crucis |
| Bright Star Catalogue | HR 4730 |
| Hipparcos Catalogue | HIP 60718 |
| SAO Catalogue | SAO 251904 |
