The Northern Crown graces the summer time skies
Tonight, search for a constellation that’s simple to see on the sky’s dome, in case your sky is dark enough. Corona Borealis – aka the Northern Crown – is thrilling to search out. Actually, it’s simple to select as an almost-perfect semicircle of stars. And also you’ll discover this stunning star sample within the night sky from now till October.
Plus, the constellation Corona Borealis is simple to search out because it’s situated roughly alongside a line between two brilliant stars. The primary is Arcturus within the constellation Boötes the Herdsman and the second is Vega within the constellation Lyra the Harp.
However you’ll want a reasonably dark sky to see Corona Borealis between Vega and Arcturus. Then, as soon as you discover the semicircle of stars, it’s very noticeable.
The brightest star of the Northern Crown
The brightest star in Corona Borealis is Alphecca, also known as Gemma, typically known as the Pearl of the Crown. As a matter of truth, the identify Alphecca originated with an outline of Corona Borealis because the “damaged one.” This was in reference to the truth that these stars seem in a semicircle, quite than a full circle. Alphecca is a blue-white star, with an intrinsic luminosity some 60 occasions that of our sun. And it’s situated about 75 light-years from Earth.
Some pictures from our EarthSky Group Images
Backside line: Search for Corona Borealis – the Northern Crown – between the good stars Arcturus and Vega tonight! Actually, this constellation may be very noticeable, in case you have a darkish sky.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
