Classical Cepheids pulsate radially so that their size varies. X Crucis pulsates in its fundamental mode and its properties indicate that it is crossing the instability strip for the third time as its evolves back to cooler temperatures.[9] Its radius varies by about 5 R☉ during each cycle, approximately 8% of its mean radius. At the same time its temperature varies between 5,180 and 6,029 K. The radius and temperature do not vary in sync, with the smallest size occurring as the temperature is approaching its maximum. The brightness increases rapidly to a maximum when the star is hottest, then decreases more slowly. This is one of the properties that indicate fundamental mode pulsation.[10][11]
^ abHog, E.; Kuzmin, A.; Bastian, U.; Fabricius, C.; Kuimov, K.; Lindegren, L.; Makarov, V. V.; Roeser, S. (1998). "The TYCHO Reference Catalogue". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 335: L65. Bibcode:1998A&A...335L..65H.
^ abcSamus, N. N.; Durlevich, O. V.; et al. (2009). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: General Catalogue of Variable Stars (Samus+ 2007-2013)". VizieR On-line Data Catalog: B/GCVS. Originally Published in: 2009yCat....102025S. 1. Bibcode:2009yCat....102025S.
^Houk, Nancy (1979). Michigan catalogue of two-dimensional spectral types for the HD stars. Vol. 1. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan. Bibcode:1978mcts.book.....H.
^Dean, J.F. (1977). "B, V, I, photometry of Southern Cepheids". University of Michigan Catalogue of Two-dimensional Spectral Types for the HD Stars. Volume I. Declinations -90_ to -53_ƒ0. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan. Bibcode:1975mcts.book.....H.
^Evans, D. S. (1967). "The Revision of the General Catalogue of Radial Velocities". Determination of Radial Velocities and Their Applications. 30: 57. Bibcode:1967IAUS...30...57E.
^ abHøg, E.; Fabricius, C.; Makarov, V. V.; Urban, S.; Corbin, T.; Wycoff, G.; Bastian, U.; Schwekendiek, P.; Wicenec, A. (2000). "The Tycho-2 catalogue of the 2.5 million brightest stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 355: L27. Bibcode:2000A&A...355L..27H.
^ abcdeOpolski, A. (1984). "Observational determination of pulsation modes and photometric masses of Cepheid variables". Acta Astronomica. 34: 225. Bibcode:1984AcA....34..225O.