When is the best time to observe Delta Gruis?

Delta Gruis is best observed from July through September, with peak visibility during August when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Delta Gruis located in the sky?

Delta Gruis lies in the constellation Grus at right ascension 22h 29m and declination -43° 30′.

What telescope do I need to see Delta Gruis?

At magnitude 4.0, Delta Gruis is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Delta Gruis — Star in Grus

HIP 110997; Delta1 Gruis

Magnitude 4.0^m Star Grus (Gru) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

About Delta Gru

Description

Delta Gruis (Delta-1) is the brighter member of a naked-eye double with Delta-2 Gru in the southern constellation Grus. Delta-1 is a G-K type giant of spectral class G6-8 III about 136 light-years away. It shines at magnitude 3.97. Delta-2 is a distant M-type giant, physically unrelated.

Observing Tips

The Delta-1/Delta-2 pair in Grus makes a fine naked-eye double, about 16 arcminutes apart — easily resolved without optical aid under dark skies. Binoculars show a subtle color contrast: Delta-1 yellow-orange, Delta-2 deep orange. From southern latitudes the pair is well-placed in the spring evening sky. Best observed from southern latitudes September through December.

History

Delta-1 Gru retains its Bayer designation in current IAU catalogs.

Fun Facts

Grus is one of the southern bird constellations created by Johann Bayer in 1603 based on the voyages of Dutch navigators Keyser and de Houtman. The Delta-1/Delta-2 naked-eye pair is one of its few named-star attractions.