गेक्रक्स तारा

Gacrux glows a distinct red, its B–V colour index of 1.6 among the highest of the bright stars and the visual mark of an M-type classification. Designated Gamma Crucis, it forms the top of the Southern Cross in the constellation Crux and, at 88.6 light-years, is the nearest red star of first magnitude. It appears at magnitude 1.59, and its absolute magnitude of −0.58 shows an intrinsic brightness above the Sun's. From a southern declination of −57° Gacrux stays below the horizon for most northern observers. Its warm colour contrasts sharply with the blue-white glow of the Cross's other members.