Southern Cross

American  

noun

1. Also called cross.  Astronomy. a southern constellation between Centaurus and Musca.

2. U.S. History. the battle flag of the Confederate States of America.

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Southern Cross British  

noun

1. Formal names: Crux.   Crux Australis.  a small conspicuous constellation in the S hemisphere lying in the Milky Way near Centaurus. The four brightest stars form a cross, the longer arm of which points to the south celestial pole

2. the flag flown at the Eureka Stockade

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Southern Cross Scientific  

/ sŭth′ərn /

1. A constellation in the polar region of the Southern Hemisphere near Centaurus.

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Etymology

Origin of Southern Cross

1690–1700, Southern Cross for def. 1

Example Sentences

Professor Peter Harrison of Southern Cross University came up with an idea to help restore damaged coral reefs.

From NewsForKids.net • Apr. 3, 2024

The songmaster leads the Australia team song, Under the Southern Cross.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2023

Southern Cross University's Dr Douglas Tait leads the ground-breaking study, 'Submarine groundwater discharge exceeds river inputs as a source of nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef'.

From Science Daily • Oct. 9, 2023

While best explored from south of the Equator, keen-eyed sky-watchers as far north as the southern tip of Florida can glimpse the Southern Cross.

From National Geographic • Aug. 23, 2023

Ubiquitous in highlands art, the Andean cross is a stepped shape that some claim is inspired by the Southern Cross constellation and others believe represents the four quarters of the world.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann