Corona Borealis: The Northern Crown
Pronunciation: cuh-ROE-nuh bor-ee-AL-issCorona Borealis Constellation Profile | |
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Abbreviation: CrB | Genitive: Coronae Borealis |
Origin: Ancient | Location: Northern Hemisphere |
Best View (North): June/July | Best View (South): |
Bordering Constellations: Bootes, Serpens Caput, Hercules |
The Myths Behind the Constellation Corona Borealis
Corona Borealis, “The Northern Crown”, was the crown of Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. She helped the hero Theseus slay the Minotaur, a man with the head of a bull, who was imprisoned in a labyrinth designed by Daedalus. Ariadne escaped with Theseus but was abandoned by him on the island of Naxos. She was seen cursing Theseus by Dionysus, who was instantly smitten. He married her on the spot, and after the ceremony was complete, he tossed Ariadne’s crown into the sky in celebration, where it became the constellation Corona Borealis.Corona Borealis Constellation Points of Interest
Interesting stars and objects.Bright Stars in Corona Borealis
These are the stars in Corona Borealis with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.Name | Bayer Name | Magnitude | Color | Luminosity | Distance |
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Alphecca | Alpha Coronae Borealis | 2.22 | White | 68 suns | 75 ly |