DIAMOND CROSS

The 'Diamond Cross' is an asterism in the south polar constellation Carina. The Diamond Cross is comprised of four bright stars: Beta Carinae, Theta Carinae, Upsilon Carinae, and Omega Carinae. These four bright stars create an almost perfect diamond shape, hence the name "Diamond Cross". The entire asterism is visible to all observers south of 20°N latitude. It bears a striking resemblance to Crux (The Southern Cross) and the False Cross, and, like them, it lacks a central star in its cross pattern, creating a diamond-shaped or kite-like appearance. Both the Diamond Cross and the False Cross are sometimes mistaken for the true cross Crux, even by some of the most experienced at celestial navigation, although the False Cross has always been a worse deceiver than the Diamond Cross, because most of its stars have approximately the same declinations as the stars of Crux.

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References

See also

References

★ Introduction to the Southern Sky

★ Southern Sky Photos

★ Deepsky Observer's Companion

See also

★ Vela constellation