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Lambda Crucis — Star in Crux

Magnitude 4.6m Star Crux (Cru) Visible
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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.62
Variable Type Beta Cephei (Pulsating)
Spectral Type B4Vne
Star Color Blue (B-V -0.15)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 12h 54m 39.2s
Dec -59° 08' 48.0"
Constellation Crux (Cru)
HR 4897
HIP 63007
HD 112078
SAO 240368
Bayer Lambda
Variable ID Lam Cru
SIMBAD

3How easy to spot?

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Equipment Bortle 3 Bortle 4 Bortle 5
Naked eye Medium+ Medium Hard+
50mm finder Easy Easy Easy
150mm scope Easy Easy Easy
Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

4Visibility

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Best season Feb – Apr (peak: Mar)

5Survey Image

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6

Size Comparison

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7

Compare Stars

8

Spectral Classification

9

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

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Read: The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram — Reading Stars Like a Map
10

Stellar Lifecycle

11

Blackbody Spectrum

12

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

13

Stellar Fusion

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14Stellar Notes

Beta C?, amp. 0.02V, 0.3951d, possible secondary 0.1793d.
Sco-Cen cluster; member of the local association (Pleiades group).

Nearby in the Sky

Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.

Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.

S Cru
Medium
Pulsating variable, period 4.7d
Variable Star mag 6.58 0.7° Crux
NGC 4852
Easy
Open cluster
Open Cluster mag 9.0 0.8° Centaurus
Becrux
HIP 62434; Beta Crucis
Easy
Hot blue O-type star
Star mag 1.25 1.0° Crux
Coalsack Nebula
Easy
Dark nebula — shows as a void against the Milky Way
Dark Nebula mag 12.0 3.9° Crux
Show on Map

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