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How to Find the Southern Cross from Panama

-- | February 4, 2015

Question: Hello…I am visiting Panama, and live at 52degrees N in central Canada. I heard that I should be able to see the Southern Cross from here. At what time is best to see it, and since there is a full moon, will this affect finding it. — Harry

Answer: I believe that you are asking how you can view the Southern Cross (in the constellation Crux) from Panama. This time of year Crux rises in the south, just to the east of due-south point on the horizon, around 23:30 (just before midnight) and transits around 04:00 in the morning. Crux sets around 08:00, which is an hour or so after sunrise. As it is currently very close to a full Moon, you will not be able to avoid competing with it.

Jeff Mangum

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