Gamma Crucis facts for kids
Gamma Crucis, also known as Gacrux, is a very special star. It is the closest red giant star to our Sun. Imagine a star that has grown much, much bigger than it used to be!
Gacrux is so big that its diameter is about 113 times larger than the Sun's. That's like fitting 113 Suns side-by-side to match Gacrux's width! Because of its huge size, Gacrux shines with a reddish light.
You can only see Gacrux if you are in the Southern Hemisphere of Earth. This means people living in places like Australia, South Africa, or South America can easily spot it in the night sky.
Contents
What is a Red Giant Star?
A red giant is a type of star that is nearing the end of its life. Stars like our Sun spend most of their lives burning hydrogen. When they run out of hydrogen in their core, they start to change.
The star's core shrinks, but its outer layers expand greatly. These outer layers cool down, which makes the star look red. This is why Gacrux is called a "red giant."
Where to Find Gacrux
Gacrux is part of a famous group of stars called the constellation Crux. This constellation is also known as the Southern Cross. It's one of the smallest constellations in the sky.
The Southern Cross is very important for people in the Southern Hemisphere. It helps them find the South Celestial Pole, which is like the North Star for the southern sky. Gacrux is at the top of this cross shape.
Gacrux's Brightness and Color
Gacrux is one of the brightest stars in the night sky. It has a reddish-orange color, which is typical for red giant stars. This color comes from its cooler outer layers.
Sometimes, Gacrux's brightness changes a little bit. This is because it is a type of star called a "semiregular variable star." This means its light can get slightly brighter or dimmer over time.
Images for kids
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The constellation Crux, with the reddish star Gacrux at the top of the constellation (north) in this image
See also
In Spanish: Gacrux para niños
