The Southern Cross

Have you ever wondered about the stars on the Australian flag? The five stars you see are the brightest ones of the Southern Cross (Crux) constellation which can only be seen in the southern hemisphere. The stars are named alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilom. The other part of the flag is the British Union Jack which represents Australia's historical (convict) roots and of course if you don't count the Dutch explorers. Even today it remains an irritant to many Australians. Lacking a pole star in the southern hemisphere, the alpha and beta stars, often referred to as pointer stars, are used for locating the South Pole important for navigation. In aboriginal folklore two of the stars represent the head of an emu while the whole constellation is a possum sitting in a tree. The Southern Cross has historical importance as well. It appeared on the Eureka Flag (see my article on the Eureka Stockade) representing revolution against oppression.