Grus (constellation)
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Grus

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List of stars in Grus
Abbreviation:	Gru
Genitive:	Gruis
Symbolism:	the Crane
Right ascension:	22 h
Declination:	−47°
Area:	366 sq. deg. (45th)
Main stars:	7
Bayer/Flamsteed stars:	28
Stars with known planets:	3
Bright stars:	2
Nearby stars:	1
Brightest star:	α Gru (Al Na'ir) (+1.73m)
Nearest star:	HD 211415 (44.4 ly)
Messier objects:	0
Meteor showers:	????? ?????
Bordering constellations:	Piscis Austrinus Microscopium Indus Tucana Phoenix Sculptor
Visible at latitudes between +34° and −34° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of October

Grus (pronounced /ˈgrʌs/, /ˈgruːs/, Latin: crane) is a southern constellation. The constellation was one of twelve constellations created by Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman between 1595 and 1597, and it first appeared in Johann Bayer's Uranometria of 1603. An alternative name for this constellation, Phoenicopterus (Latin for flamingo), was used briefly in England during the 17th century^[1].

Named Stars

• Bayer...Name........Origin.....Meaning
• α.......Al Na'ir....Arabic....the bright one
• β.......Rear........English...position in constellation
• γ.......Al Dhanab...Arabic....the tail

History and mythology

Until the 17th century, Grus was considered part of Piscis Austrinus. The Arabic names of many of its stars reflect this classification. Since it was created in the 17th century, there is no earlier mythology associated with it.

Citations

References

• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Grus
• The clickable Grus
• Starry Night Photography - Grus Constellation
• Star Tales – Grus

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Grus (constellation)