northern cross | EarthSky

Star chart with a horizontal cross of labeled stars and ends of bars, inside a larger triangle pattern.

The Northern Cross: Find the backbone of the Milky Way

The Northern Cross is an asterism - or recognizable pattern of stars - within the constellation Cygnus the Swan. Here's how to find it in your sky.

Illustration of a star pattern in the sky with a man in the foreground pointing to it.

The attitude of the Swan and the Northern Cross

Guy Ottewell answers the question: Since the Northern Cross is vertical as it sets in the west, why is it not also vertical as it rises in the east?

Look for the Northern Cross on December evenings

It isn't as famous as its counterpart, the Southern Cross. But the Northern Cross looks like a cross, and it's pretty easy to spot. You'll find it upright in the west on late December evenings.

Dark sky over buildings with 6 stars labeled and Southern Cross pattern shown.

How to see the Southern Cross from the Northern Hemisphere

The Southern Cross can be seen from the Northern Hemisphere, as long as you're below 26 degrees north and know when and where to look!

Star chart: 4 labeled stars at ends of cross arms and small dots for a labeled star cluster.

Meet Crux, the constellation of the Southern Cross

Crux, the constellation of the Southern Cross, is a hallmark of southern skies and contains the open cluster known as the Jewel Box.

The Southern Cross: your guide to due south

There's no bright star marking due south from the Southern Hemisphere. But the Southern Cross points the way.

Swirling green aurora over sharp mountains with a reflection in a foreground lake.

See the best northern lights photos of 2025

The blog Capture the Atlas announced its 2025 Northern Lights Photographer of the Year contest. See 10 of the best northern lights photos here.

A giant full moon on horizon with small, silhouetted man holding a jack-o-lantern.

Halloween is an astronomy holiday. It’s a cross-quarter day

A cross-quarter day falls between an equinox and a solstice. Halloween is the year's 4th cross-quarter day and the spookiest of them all.

Three curved, dotted sun tracks across the sky from various heights above the horizon down to the horizon.

Northernmost sunset is on the June solstice, today!

The northernmost sunset (and sunrise) happens at the June solstice. Here's some quick info that'll help you connect with nature on this special day.

Acrux is the brightest star in the Southern Cross

Acrux, also called Alpha Crucis, is the brightest star in the constellation Crux, the Southern Cross. And it is not 1, but 2 stars.

Mountainous landscape with water in the front and the Milky Way and streaks of color in the sky.

See the best northern lights photos of 2024

The blog Capture the Atlas announced its 2024 Northern Lights Photographer of the Year contest. See 10 of the best northern lights photos here.

Black bodied insect with red, round eyes and clear wings on a piece of wood.

Trillions of cicadas emerged across parts of the U.S. in 2024

Two broods of cicadas emerged across parts of the U.S. in 2024. They may have been plentiful and loud, but they're basically harmless.

Seated man and woman in Grecian garb painted in red, white, and black on pottery.

Alphecca, a jewel in Corona Borealis the Northern Crown

Alphecca. Gemma. Alpha Coronae Borealis or simply Alpha Cor Bor. They're all names for a single star, the brightest star in the Northern Crown.

Dark sky over buildings with stars labeled and Southern Cross outlined.

Mimosa, 2nd-brightest star in Crux, the Southern Cross

To see Mimosa, you need to be in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is a prominent star, or at the latitude of New Orleans, Hawaii, Cairo or New Delhi.

An old Earth globe with a figure 8 shaped line marked like a ruler crossing the equator.

The meridian: When does the sun cross it?

In the jargon of astronomers, the sun is said to make an upper meridian transit when it reaches its highest point for the day at solar noon (midday).

Wow! Polar stratospheric clouds spotted across the UK

Polar stratospheric clouds - also called nacreous clouds or mother-of-pearl clouds - have been putting on a show this week. Check out these beautiful images.