Expert: Philip Stahl - 3/14/2011

Question
What will be the best viewing dates for the Southern Cross on Maui this spring in 2011? Thank you

PS I noticed someone already asked if the Southern Cross can be seen from Maui and I read your answer...thank you very much

...A sea captain friend of mine said there is also a false Southern Cross. Have you ever heard of this or was my friend impacted by too much grog?

Answer
Hello,

According to my Cybersky program, ideal seeing (meaning enough altitude above the southern horizon) won't manifest until around May 1, 11 p.m. local time. Then the star Acrux (magn. +1.65) will be about 12.3 degrees above the southern horizon (southernmost point) and the midpoint of the cross - ir where its putative cross lines intersect, will be about 10 deg above the horizon.


Note that as you get later into the month, the same max. alt. configuration will be available at earlier times.

Re: the "False cross" - it's not a product of excess grog.

It's located about half way between the real Cross and Canopus, in Argo.  It's somewhat larger than the real Cross and not quite as symmetric.

You can actually spot both at about 1 a.m. local time this evening, about 7 and 8 degrees respectively over the southern horizon. The false version will be to the southwest, and the real version to the southeast.

Hope this helps!