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Constellation of the southern sky

Genitive	Gruis
Abbreviation	Gru
Constellation Family	Bayer
Celestial Quadrant	SQ4
Right Ascension	21h27 to 23h27
Declination	-36.3° to -56.4°
Area (sq deg)	366
Brightest Star	Alnair
Optimum Visibility	September (Usually visible from southern latitudes)
Notes	The stars known today as the constellation of Grus were historically seen as a southern extension of Piscis Austrinus. This group of stars were occasionally referred to as the Heron or the Flamingo before becoming formalised as the constellation of the Crane.

Grus, the constellation of the Crane, contains stars viewed 'downwards' through the Galactic disc, which accounts for its sparse nature.

A constellation of the southern sky, lying immediately south of the bright star Fomalhaut. Important features are the hot blue star Alnair, and the easily distinguished double star of Delta Gruis.

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