Alpha Crucis facts for kids
Alpha Crucis, also known as Acrux, is a very bright star system. You can find it in the Crux constellation, which is also called the Southern Cross. This star system is one of the brightest stars you can see in the night sky!
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What is Alpha Crucis?
Alpha Crucis is not just one star, but a group of stars orbiting each other. This is why it's called a multiple star system. All the stars in Alpha Crucis are super hot and shine with a beautiful blue light.
The Stars of Alpha Crucis
The Alpha Crucis system has three main stars. They are named Alpha Crucis A, Alpha Crucis B, and HR 4729.
- Alpha Crucis A is incredibly bright. It shines about 25,000 times brighter than our own Sun!
- Alpha Crucis B is also very powerful. It is about 16,000 times brighter than the Sun.
- HR 4729 is the third star in this amazing system.
These stars are much bigger and hotter than the Sun. Their blue color tells us they are very young and have a lot of energy.
Where Can You See Acrux?
Acrux is the brightest star in the Crux constellation. This constellation is shaped like a cross. It is a famous sight in the Southern Hemisphere. Many people use it to find their way, just like the North Star helps people in the Northern Hemisphere.
Acrux is so bright that it's one of the 15 brightest stars we can see from Earth. It's a great target for stargazers!
Images for kids
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The constellation Crux, also known as the Southern Cross.
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A close-up view of α Crucis (Acrux) with the nearby star HD 108250.
See also
In Spanish: Ácrux para niños
