When is the best time to observe Kappa Crucis?

Kappa Crucis is best observed from February through April, with peak visibility during March when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Kappa Crucis located in the sky?

Kappa Crucis lies in the constellation Crux at right ascension 12h 54m and declination -60° 23′.

What telescope do I need to split Kappa Crucis?

Splitting Kappa Crucis requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 7.7″ at magnitudes near 5.9. The companion is about 4.5 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Kappa Crucis — Double Star in Crux

Magnitude 5.9^m DoubleStar Crux (Cru) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.90

Spectral Type B5Ia supergiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.20)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 12h 53m 49.1s

Dec -60° 22' 37.0"

Constellation Crux (Cru)

HR 4890

HIP 62931

HD 111973

SAO 252077

Bayer Kappa

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.9 mag Companion 10.4 mag Separation 7.7″

Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium	Hard+	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Medium+	Medium+
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Easy	Easy	Medium+

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Feb – Apr (peak: Mar)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 7.7″

Companion Mag 10.4

Position Angle 87°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Orange

Discoverer CRU9008

Separation over time

Measured 1879 → 2015 (136 y)

Separation drift 8.1" → 7.7" (-0.40")

Rate -0.0029" / y

PA drift 88° → 87° (-1°, -0.007°/y)

Essentially fixed on human timescales — the same view your grandchildren will see.

Measured from the WDS observational archive. No orbital solution has been derived — most likely the period is too long to fit an orbit to the available measurement arc.