#gacrux

[quiltofstars]

The constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross // E. Slawik/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Zamani

Click below for some info about this small constellation as well as an annotated image!

Crux, which is Latin for "cross," is the smallest of the 88 constellations, but probably one of the most recognizable. That probably explains why it appears on the flags of Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa!

Although it was probably known to the Ancient Greeks since Ptolemy included these stars are part of Centaurus, Earth's precession slowly moved Crux below the horizon for most of Europe. The first more modern person to notice the Cross was the Portuguese astronomer João Faras in 1500 while he was accompanying an expedition to Brazil. However, it was Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius who made it its own constellation in 1598, nearly a century later!

The named stars, in order of brightness, are:

Mimosa (β Crucis), a binary star system consisting of two blue giant stars separated by only about 9 AU (about the distance between the Sun and Saturn). The system lies about 280 light years away. Its name does not come from the drink, but comes from the Latin word mimosa meaning "actor."

Acrux (α Crucis) is a septuple star system consisting of several blue giants and at least one red dwarf. The entire system lies about 348 light years away. The name is an Americanism of Alpha Crucis.

Gacrux (γ Crucis) is a red giant star about 89 light years away, making this the nearest red giant to Earth. Its name is again an Americanism of Gamma Crucis.

Imai (δ Crucis) is a blue giant star about 345 light years away. Its name was given by the Mursi people of Ethiopia: when Imai stops appearing in the evening sky right at dusk, it is said that the Omo river rises high enough to flatten the imai grass along its banks.

Ginan (ε Crucis) is a solitary orange giant star about 230 light years away. Its name was given by the Wardaman people of Australia: this refers to a dillybag, a woven bag used to gather and carry food.

Lumbung (39 Crucis) is a solitary blue giant star about 840 light years away. Its name was given this year, coming from Bali. Lumbung was the name of this constellation in Indonesian astronomy, referring to a rice barn or granary.

Tupã (HD 108147) is a solitary Sun-like star about 127 light years away. It has one confirmed exoplanet orbiting it, about half the mass of Jupiter, named Tumearandu. Both names were given by the people of Paraguya: Tupã is the god of the Guarani people, while Tumearandu is a character in Paraguay folklore.

[freakingtheworld]

Beams

[bluegumballmf]

Hi screenshot dump

Og images— the ones without a match are my own original works, save for the lake one (used a background from the show for that)

[weird-gay-disaster]

Weird Guys at My Doorstep

The post-game bosses waiting for you to move so you're in range of their attacks:

Bluesky/FA/Newgrounds

[bonusdragons]

June 13, 2025:

Periwinkle Secondary, Dusthide, Lace.

Gacrux of avatarkadaj's clan!

[avatarkadaj-fr]

everyone who has gotten starfall skins & accents :3 there were some PEAK designs this month!

Muse - celestial fey

Gacrux - starlight flutter

Tsukimi & Midnight Zone - lunar debris

Boomslang & Halfmoon - explore the expanse

Cynder - starwood sky

Wildflower - arcane plumage

Fujinosuke - cosmic vapors

[peri-universals-universe]

Some art for aro week

This is focused on aroace characters because I don't have enough aroallos. So I say a picture of an aroace rainbow and that made me realize that the aroace flag looks exactly like the colors of a blackbody at increasing temperatures. Each character is a star oc and there is one for each of the seven main spectral (color and temperature) types of stars.

And here's a version without the color overlay

[at-liberty-news]

Galactic War Status: Day 40

Hello, viewers. Today's another short one for you.

The gambit to defend Pöpli IX by cutting off its supply routes from Mort was a success, once again securing all planets in the sector. Unfortunately, the bots are now making much use of Vandelon IV as a staging ground, having launched yet another attack already.

This time, the robots are threatening Mantes, a planet that had gained a reputation back when the Helldivers were facing off with the original Automaton Vanguard fleet. Being one of the primary battlegrounds of that era of the conflict, it seemed to change hands almost every day. Looking to avoid repeating that mistake, the Helldivers have descended with great fury upon the initial invasion force. Their efforts have been wildly successful so far, and the planet is already nearly cleansed of the robot's influence. At this rate, the major order is in the bag.

Back with the Terminids; things are only getting worse. As the Helldivers leave their advance unchecked, they have now nearly completely infested the Jin Xi sector, with Phact Bay the most recent planet to fall under their shadow. Although efforts are underway to protect the planet, it's looking rather grim. In the meantime, many Helldivers continue to hammer the jungled surface of Gacrux in hopes of retaking it but have only managed to fight to a standstill. Let's hope things pick up soon.

That's all we have prepared for now; we'll see you next time.

Give 'em Hell, Divers!