Gacrux, also known as Gamma Crucis, is a red giant star located in the constellation Crux, which is commonly known as the Southern Cross. It is approximately 88 light-years away from Earth and is the third-brightest star in its constellation. Gacrux has a spectral type of M3 III, indicating that it is a cool star with a surface temperature of around 3,500 Kelvin. As a red giant, Gacrux has expanded and cooled after exhausting the hydrogen in its core. It is about 25 times larger than the Sun and shines with a luminosity approximately 1,500 times greater. Gacrux is an important navigational star in the Southern Hemisphere and is often used in celestial navigation.