Constellation Crux

The Southern Cross (Crux) is the smallest Constellation, covering only 68 square degrees of sky.

It lies across the Milky Way. When the constellation is examined through binoculars or a telescope, the extraordinary density of stars in that part of the sky becomes apparent.

To the lower left of the cross, part of the Milky Way is obscured by a dark cloud - The Coal Sack, which contains enough gas to make thousands of additional stars.