Grus constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Grus (Gru) is a southern constellation covering 365 square degrees, number 45 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is Alnair, a blue-white subgiant, magnitude 1.7. It is best seen in the evening in October. Over London it stays low — you need an open southern horizon. Its neighbours in the sky: Indus, Microscopium, Phoenix, Piscis Austrinus, Sculptor, Tucana.
Area: 365 square degrees, 45 of 88 · Neighbours: Indus, Microscopium, Phoenix, Piscis Austrinus, Sculptor, Tucana · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Grus
- 1
When to look
The best time is in October in the evening: —.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Indus, Microscopium, Phoenix, Piscis Austrinus.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Alnair (1.7ᵐ), Tiaki (2.1ᵐ), Aldhanab (3.0ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — december | — | not visible, behind the Sun |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Alnair · α Gru | blue-white subgiant | 1.7ᵐ |
| Tiaki · β Gru | red giant | 2.1ᵐ |
| Aldhanab · γ Gru | blue-white giant | 3.0ᵐ |
| ε Gru | white main-sequence star | 3.5ᵐ |
| ι Gru | orange giant | 3.9ᵐ |
| δ¹ Gru | yellow giant | 4.0ᵐ |
| ζ Gru | yellow giant | 4.1ᵐ |
| θ Gru | yellow-white star | 4.3ᵐ |
Grus FAQ
When is the best time to see Grus?
Where is Grus in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Grus?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0