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Crux and the southern celestial pole
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Crux and the southern celestial pole
Crux constellation and the southern celestial pole. Crux, the southern cross, is formed of four bright stars in the Milky Way at upper centre. Just left of its base, the dark Coal Sack nebula is seen. This is a foreground cloud of dark dust that blocks the light from the Milky Way stars beyond it. The bright stars at upper left are Alpha Centauri (left) and Hadar (Beta Centauri, right). The top and bottom stars in Crux (Gamma and Alpha Crucis) point towards the south celestial pole, some 4.5 times the Gamma-Alpha distance below Crux. Unlike the north celestial pole, which has Polaris, the south pole has no bright star near to it
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Media ID 6444617
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Alpha Centauri Centaurus Constellation Constellations Crux Dark Nebula Globular Cluster Nebula Nebulae Night Sky Omega Centauri Southern Cross Southern Hemisphere Star Star Cluster Stars Coal Sack Pointers
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the beauty of the Crux constellation and the southern celestial pole. At the center, we can see Crux, also known as the southern cross, formed by four bright stars in the Milky Way. Just to its left lies a dark cloud called Coal Sack nebula, which acts as a foreground dust cloud blocking light from stars beyond it. The upper left corner showcases two prominent stars - Alpha Centauri on the left and Hadar (Beta Centauri) on the right. These dazzling celestial bodies add an extra touch of brilliance to this cosmic scene. What makes this image even more intriguing is that it reveals an interesting fact about navigation in our skies. The top and bottom stars of Crux, Gamma and Alpha Crucis respectively, serve as pointers towards the south celestial pole. This pole is located approximately 4.5 times below Crux's Gamma-Alpha distance. Unlike its northern counterpart with Polaris shining brightly nearby, there are no bright stars near the south celestial pole. However, this absence only adds to its mystique and allure. Overall, this breathtaking photograph showcases not only stunning astronomical features but also highlights how our understanding of constellations aids us in navigating our vast universe.
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