Proyecto Astronómico Constelación Cruz del Sur southern_cross_colegio_cristobal_colon | Page 7

The image shows the two crosses: Cygnus to the left and Crux to the right. Both extend
across the galactic equator. The following data illustrates similarities and differences
between the crosses of both hemispheres.
Southern Cross
Cygnus
Icon
Image
Becrux 1.25
Coal Sack (dark nebula)
Jewel Box (NGC 4755)
Open cluster, A-shaped.
Southern Cross
Name
Stars of apparent magnitude < 3 4
Visible in the range of latitudes... 20 to –90 degrees
68 square degrees
Area
Apparent magnitude
Nebula
Cluster
Deneb 1.25
NGC 7000 (bright nebula)
M29
Open cluster; shaped as a spoon.
Northern Cross
4
90 to –40 degrees
804 square degrees
IV. The Southern Cross and the mythology of the original cultures of the Andes.
In a legend about the origin of the Mapuche the Southern Cross is mentioned. In the “Book
of Mapuche tales”, compiled by Alicia Morel, we read:
“The children built a ruca (a Mapuche hut) and the Sun entered by the door facing East
and left by the one facing West, following the ancient custom of the people of the land,
respectful of the cardinal points and regarding the number four as sacred.
When at last the Maker of Rain was tired of riding over the clouds and returned to its
hiding place behind the hills, water level began to descend and the rivers to follow their
normal course. Then the coihue (a native tree) buried itself in the mud as a ship running
aground, and when the wind dried the ground the Puma (a native feline), the Chilla (a
native mouse) and the children jumped from the log and looked for a hidden valley to live.
The first thing they did, even before building another ruca or looking for a cave to inhabit,
was to name their adoptive children. Magical names that would protect them forever. The
son was named Manque, the condor that soars in the sky looking after the Earth. The
daughter was named Melipal, like the Southern Cross.”
There are other known connections to the Southern Cross, which we mention now:
•
The ancient indigenous farmers of the Andes observed the occurrence of
astronomical phenomena in order to determine the epoch of their agricultural or