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'''Acrux''' ([[alpha (letter)|α]] Crucis) is a [[star]] in the [[constellation]] [[Crux]], the Southern Cross. Since the Southern Cross is roughly 60 degrees below the [[celestial equator]], Crux is only visible south of the [[Tropic of Cancer]] and therefore didn't receive an ancient proper name; "Acrux" is simply a combination of the A in Alpha plus Crux. Acrux has a [[stellar magnitude]] of 0.77, and is the twelfth brightest star in the sky. It is the southernmost first magnitude star, just beating out [[Rigil Kentaurus]] (α Centauri).
'''Blur''' is a [[UK|British]] [[rock music|rock]] band, consisting of [[Damon Albarn]] (vocals/keyboard), [[Alex James]] (bass), [[Dave Rowntree]] (drums) and, until [[2002]], [[Graham Coxon]] (guitar).
Acrux is a [[trinary star]] located 320 light years from the solar system. Only two components are visually distinguishable, α<sup>1</sup> and α<sup>2</sup>, separated by 4 [[arcsecond]]s. α<sup>1</sup> is magnitude 1.33 and α<sup>2</sup> is magnitude 1.73, both hot [[stellar classification|class B]] (almost [[stellar classification|class O]]) stars, with surface temperatures of about 28,000 and 26,000 Kelvin respectively; their respective luminosities are 2,500 and 1,600 times that of the Sun. α<sup>1</sup> and α<sup>2</sup> orbit over such a long period that motion is only barely seen. From their minimum separation of 430 [[astronomical unit]]s, the period is at least 1500 years, and may be much longer.
The band was formed in [[1989]] under the name of "Seymour", which was later changed to their current name during [[1990]]. They achieved modest success with their first two albums, ''[[Leisure (album)|Leisure]]'' ([[1991]]) and ''[[Modern Life Is Rubbish]]'' ([[1993]]).
α<sup>1</sup> is itself a [[spectroscopic binary]] star, with its components thought to be around 14 and 10 times the mass of the Sun and orbiting in only 76 days at a separation of about one astronomical unit. The masses of α<sup>2</sup> and the brighter component of α<sup>1</sup> suggest that the stars will someday explode as [[supernova|supernovae]]. The fainter component of α<sup>1</sup> may survive to become a massive [[white dwarf]].
The [[1994]] album ''[[Parklife (album)|Parklife]]'' meant the breakthrough of the band, especially in their home country, scoring hits with singles such as "Girls and Boys", and "Parklife" which seems to have been influenced by [[The Small Faces]]' "Lazy Sunday". This album sparked the sudden popularity of [[Brit-pop]], which reached its height for Blur with the album ''[[The Great Escape (album)|The Great Escape]]'' ("Country House"). The band became involved in a struggle for most popular Brit-pop band in their country, which was eventually won by [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]].
Another class B subgiant lies 90 arcseconds away from triple Acrux and shares Acrux's motion through space, suggesting it may be gravitationally bound to Acrux. However, if it is indeed located near Acrux, it is under-luminous for its class. It is probably just an optical [[double star]], most likely lying over twice as far away from the solar system as Acrux.
''[[Blur (album)|Blur]]'', released in [[1997]], broke with the musical tradition from the previous two albums, focussing more on [[indie rock]]. This caused an initial decrease in popularity, although the second single from this album, "Song 2", became a big hit.
[[Category:Stars]]
In [[1999]], Blur released ''[[13 (album)|13]]'', an album lyrically dominated by the end of Albarn's relationship with [[Justine Frischmann]] of [[Elastica]]. The members of Blur also engaged in a variety of side-projects around this time: Coxon made a number of solo albums, Alex James joined actor [[Keith Allen]] to form [[Fat Les]], while Albarn contributed to [[Gorillaz]] and travelled to [[Mali]] on behalf of [[Oxfam]], producing the fundraising album ''Mali Music''.
[[ja:アクルックス]]
Tensions between Coxon and the rest of the band escalated during recording sessions in 2002. Coxon was variously reported to have failed to attend recording sessions or to have been shut out of them. He was apparently unhappy at the choice of dance DJ [[Fatboy Slim]] as the sessions' producer. After several weeks of rumour and uncertainty, Coxon confirmed that he had been asked to leave the band for reasons connected with his "attitude" at a time when he had given up a heavy [[Alcoholic beverage|alcohol]] habit. Albarn later told an interviewer that there had been a power struggle between himself and Coxon. The album resulting from the sessions, ''[[Think Tank (album)|Think Tank]]'', was released in May [[2003]] to mostly favourable reviews and was nominated for ''Best British Album'' at the [[2004]] [[Brit awards]] along with [[Daniel Bedingfield]] – ''Gotta Get Thru This'', [[Blur]] –''Think Tank'', [[The Coral]] – ''Magic and Medicine'' and [[Dido_Armstrong|Dido]] - ''[[Life For Rent]]'' but there were all beaten by [[Permission to Land]] - [[The Darkness]].
Blur also composed the [http://www.beagle2.com/resources/blursignal.htm call-sign] that was to be used by the unsuccessful [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] spaceprobe ''[[Beagle 2]]'' in 2003.
== Discography ==
# ''[[Leisure (album)|Leisure]]'' (1990) and (1991); debut
# ''[[Modern Life Is Rubbish]]'' (1993)
# ''[[Parklife (album)|Parklife]]'' (1994)
# ''[[The Great Escape (album)|The Great Escape]]'' (1995)
# ''[[Blur (album)]]'' (1997)
# ''[[13 (album)|13]]'' (1999)
# ''[[Think Tank (album)|Think Tank]]'' (2003)
== External Links ==
* [http://www.blur.co.uk/ Official Website]
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