False Cross

Southern SkyAsterism
HemisphereSouthern Sky
AreaSpans Carina and Vela
SymbolAsterism

About False Cross

A diamond of four stars borrowed from Carina and Vela that mimics the Southern Cross but is larger and fainter. Navigators have confused the two at their peril, since the False Cross points nowhere useful. Avior and Delta Velorum are its brightest members. It rides high in southern autumn skies not far from the real Crux, so southern sky watchers learn early to tell them apart.

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