Southern Cross star is 14.5 times heavier than sun, scientists say

Using astroseismology, researchers have calculated that the bright blue giant Beta Crucis is 11m years old

One of the more striking constellations of the southern hemisphere's sky, the Southern Cross, can claim a new accolade - its bright blue giant Beta Crucis star has been revealed as a heavy-weight champion.

An international team of scientists have discovered that Beta Crucis, also known as Mimosa, is 14.5 times heavier than Earth's sun and is just 11m years old, making it the heaviest of the thousands of stars to have their age determined by astroseismology.