When is the best time to observe S Crucis?

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

Where is S Crucis located in the sky?

S Crucis lies in the constellation Crux at right ascension 12h 54m and declination -58° 26′.

What telescope do I need to follow S Crucis?

To follow S Crucis through its full brightness cycle (magnitude 6.2 to 6.9) you need any 7×50 or 10×50 binoculars — the star fades out of smaller apertures near minimum light.

S Crucis — Variable Star in Crux

Observable Variable Star Excellent (62/100)

Range: 6.22 - 6.92, Period: 4.7d, Type: DCEP

Magnitude 6.2–6.9^m VariableStar Crux (Cru) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.58

Range 6.22 - 6.92

Period 4.7 days

Variable Type Classical Cepheid

Spectral Type F7Ib-II supergiant

Star Color Orange (B-V 0.76)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 12h 54m 22.0s

Dec -58° 25' 50.0"

Constellation Crux (Cru)

HR 4895

HIP 62986

HD 112044

SAO 240362

Variable ID S Cru

SIMBAD

3How easy to follow?

Magnitude 6.2 – 6.9 mag Amplitude 0.7 mag Period 4.69 d Type DCEP

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

Equipment	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
Naked eye Naked eye	V. hard	V. hard	Imp.
50 mm finder 50mm finder	Medium	Medium	Medium
150 mm telescope 150mm scope	Medium	Medium	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)

5Survey Image

Loading survey image…

6Light Curve

7Comparison Stars for S Cru (6.2–6.9)

Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)

Loading comparison stars…

Explore

8

Size Comparison

Querying VizieR for stellar data…

9

Compare Stars

Compare with another star

10

Spectral Classification

11

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

Loading HR diagram…

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

12

Stellar Lifecycle

13

Blackbody Spectrum

14

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

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

15

Stellar Fusion

Discover

16Stellar Notes

Variable Star

CDelta 6.23 - 6.92V, 4.68997d.

Spectral

Also classified F6-G1Ib-II.

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.

Mu Cru

Mu Cru (BS4898)

Easy

Easy double, sep 34.5″

Double Star mag 4.03 1.3° Crux

NGC 4852

Easy

Open cluster

Open Cluster mag 9.0 1.4° Centaurus

Coalsack Nebula

Easy

Dark nebula — shows as a void against the Milky Way

Dark Nebula mag 12.0 4.6° Crux

Show on Map

Explore Nightbase

Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.

Arthur Eddington

1919 eclipse expedition confirming general relativity; first theory of stellar interiors; the Eddington limit

Biography

Variable Stars — A Guide for Observers

A practical guide to visual observation of variable stars: estimating magnitudes, finding comparison stars, recording data, and contributing to science with AAVSO.

Article

Crux

Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.

Constellation