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Mark Fisher
1999-2008
Gacrux
Gamma Crucis
Proper Name
  Gacrux
Bayer Designation
  Gamma Crucis
Flamsteed Number
  None
BSC
  4763
HD
  108903
Constellation
  Crux
Right Ascension
  12h 31m 9s
Declination
  -57° 6' 46"
Distance
  88 light years
  27 parsecs
Magnitude
  Apparent: +1.6 to +1.7
  Absolute: -0.6 to -0.5
Spectral Class
  M4
Red Giant
Optimum Visibility
  March/April
 The crowning star of the Southern Cross is Gacrux or Gamma Crucis, 88 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.

Relative Galactic Position of Gacrux
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.
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