Northern Cross
The Northern Cross is an asterism, a star pattern that is not one of the 88 official constellations, made of five stars in Cygnus. Its brightest star is Deneb (magnitude 1.25), and it is best seen in the evening in September.
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How to use it
Deneb marks the top of the cross and Albireo, a beautiful gold-and-blue double star in a small telescope, its foot.
How to find the Northern Cross
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) it is highest in the south, about 89° above the horizon, in September evenings. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it reaches about 16° in the north.
Stars of the Northern Cross
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Distance | Constellation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deneb | α Cygni | 1.25 | 1,640 ly | Cygnus |
| Sadr | γ Cygni | 2.2 | 1,826 ly | Cygnus |
| Aljanah | ε Cygni | 2.46 | 76 ly | Cygnus |
| Fawaris | δ Cygni | 2.87 | 167 ly | Cygnus |
| Albireo | β1 Cygni | 3.08 | 328 ly | Cygnus |
Questions about the Northern Cross
Is the Northern Cross a constellation?
No. The Northern Cross is an asterism: its stars belong to the constellation Cygnus, one of the 88 constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union.
What is the brightest star of the Northern Cross?
Deneb, with an apparent magnitude of 1.25, about 1,640 light-years away.
When can I see the Northern Cross?
It is highest in the evening sky in September.
Other asterisms
Big DipperUrsa Major
Little DipperUrsa Minor
Orion's BeltOrion
Summer TriangleLyra, Aquila and Cygnus
Winter TriangleCanis Major, Canis Minor and Orion
Winter HexagonCanis Major, Auriga, Orion, Canis Minor, Taurus and Gemini
Great Square of PegasusAndromeda and Pegasus
TeapotSagittarius
Spring TriangleBoötes, Virgo and Leo
Sickle of LeoLeo
KeystoneHercules
False CrossCarina and Vela
Southern PointersCentaurus