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    CRUX (the Southern Cross)

The Southern Cross is a brilliant constellation in the deep southern sky resembling a cross. This, the smallest of all constellations, contains many rich deep sky objects due to its position in a dense part of the Milky Way. Crux was known to the ancient Greeks - being then visible from the Mediterranean area, however precession has since hidden it from this latitude. My favourite object in this constellation is the Jewell Box (NGC 4755).

(Please note that not all of the objects listed below have been photographed or sketched. Please click on the blue ones for a link...)

NGC/IC Bayer M Other TYPE R.A. DEC MAG M2 Size/Sep/Period DESCRIPTION
4184       - 12h 13.6' -62° 42'       Cl, mC, st eS
4052       OC 12h 01.9' -63° 12' 9.0   8 Cl, pRi, lC
4103       OC 12h 06.7' -61° 15' 7.0   7 Cl, pL, pC, iR, st 10..
4337       OC 12h 23.9' -58° 08' 8.0   4 Cl, pRi, lC, st 12...14
4349       OC 12h 24.5' -61° 54' 7.0   16 Cl, vB, vL, lC, st 12..
4439       OC 12h 28.4' -60° 06' 8.0   4 Cl, S, st 11...12
4609       OC 12h 42.3' -62° 58' 6.0   5 Cl, pL, pC, cE, st 10
4755     Jewell Box OC 12h 53.6' -60° 20' 4.0   10 Cl, vL, st vB (kappa Cr
Coalsack       DN c.12h 50' c.-63* -   7* x 5* Visible as a black patch.