What is the Southern Cross constellation?
The Southern Cross, or Crux, is a small but bright constellation visible from the Southern Hemisphere. It appears on the flags of Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.
The Southern Cross is the smallest of the 88 recognized constellations. Its four main stars form a cross shape, with a fifth, fainter star nearby.
The brightest stars are Acrux and Mimosa. The constellation is visible all year from most of Australia and is often used for navigation.
Finding south
By drawing an imaginary line through the long axis of the cross and extending it about four and a half times its length, you can find the approximate position of the south celestial pole.
Nearby are two bright stars called the Pointers, Alpha and Beta Centauri. They point toward the Southern Cross.
In Aboriginal astronomy, the Southern Cross is part of the Emu in the Sky. Many cultures have stories about these stars. The Southern Cross has also appeared on Australian banknotes and emblems.
The constellation is best seen high in the sky on autumn evenings.