Crux dominant stars, descending in clockwise order by magnitude: Beta, Gamma (one of the closest red giants to Earth), Delta and Epsilon Crucis. Many of these brighter stars are members of the Scorpius–Centaurus Association, a large but loose group of hot blue-white stars that appear to share common origins and motion across the southern Milky Way. The constellation contains four Cepheid variables that are each visible to the naked eye under optimum conditions. Crux also contains the bright and colourful open cluster known as the Jewel Box (NGC 4755) and, to the southwest, partly includes the extensive dark nebula, known as
Knights of the Southern Cross (New Zealand) Da Gama and the Knights of Saint Columba. The National Secretariat is in Wellington. Michael Riley is the Supreme Knight. Knights of the Southern Cross (New Zealand) The Knights of the Southern Cross (New Zealand) (“KSCNZ”) is a fraternal order of Catholic men committed to promoting the Christian way of life. It is organised in 18 branches throughout the six dioceses of New Zealand. Membership is open to all Roman Catholic males in good standing at least 18 years of age or older. Through the International Alliance of Catholic Knights, the Knights of the Southern Cross (New Zealand) are associated