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Crux

Crux: A constellation of the southern sky that is centred on four bright stars in a cross-shaped asterism known as the Southern Cross. It is the smallest of the 88 modern constellations, but one of the most easily distinguished.
History: The stars of Crux were known to the ancient Greeks and other cultures, but became invisible to most of Europe due to the precession of the equinoxes. They were rediscovered by European explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries, and depicted as a separate constellation by various astronomers since then.
Stars: Crux has four main stars, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta Crucis, that range from magnitude 0.8 to 2.8. It also has a fifth star, Epsilon Crucis, that is often included with the Southern Cross. Many of the bright stars are members of the Scorpius�Centaurus association, a group of hot blue-white stars that share common origins and motion. Crux also contains several variable stars and one star with a planet.
Features: Crux is backlit by the Milky Way and contains several interesting objects, such as the Coalsack Nebula, a prominent dark nebula that obscures part of the galaxy; the Jewel Box, a bright and colourful open cluster of stars; and the Southern Pointer Stars, Alpha and Beta Centauri, that help locate the constellation and the south celestial pole.
Significance: Crux has a high level of cultural significance in many Southern Hemisphere states and nations, especially Australia, Brazil, Chile and New Zealand. It appears on the flags, coats of arms, currency, and symbols of many countries and organizations. It also features in the mythology, folklore, and astronomy of various indigenous peoples.
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constellation Crux art Crux