Corona Borealis constellation
Corona Borealis is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the northern crown. It is highest in the sky at midnight around May 19, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 59°S.
Corona Borealis at a glance
- Represents
- the northern crown
- Highest at midnight
- May 19
- Highest at 9 pm
- July 2
- Seen whole from
- 90°N to 59°S
- Brightest star
- Alphecca
- Stars in the figure
- 7 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
When to see Corona Borealis
Corona Borealis is highest in the sky at midnight around May 19 and at 9 pm around July 2. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 8:10 a.m. |
| February 15 | 6:00 a.m. |
| March 15 | 4:10 a.m. |
| April 15 | 2:10 a.m. |
| May 15 | 12:10 a.m. |
| June 15 | 10:10 p.m. |
| July 15 | 8:10 p.m. |
| August 15 | 6:10 p.m. |
| September 15 | 4:10 p.m. |
| October 15 | 2:10 p.m. |
| November 15 | 12:10 p.m. |
| December 15 | 10:10 a.m. |
Where to look for Corona Borealis
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Corona Borealis rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on May 19, 78° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Corona Borealis rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on May 19, 27° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Corona Borealis
| Star | Magnitude |
|---|---|
| Alphecca | 2.22 |
Corona Borealis in myth and history
In Greek myth, the northern crown belonged to Ariadne, a princess of Crete. The god Dionysus gave it to her when they married and later set it among the stars.
Corona Borealis is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Constellations next to Corona Borealis
Find Corona Borealis in your sky
Questions about Corona Borealis
Corona Borealis is highest in the sky at midnight around May 19 and at 9 pm around July 2. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Corona Borealis rises above the horizon from 90°N to 59°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 64°S.
Alphecca is the brightest star in Corona Borealis, at magnitude 2.22.
Corona Borealis represents the northern crown. Corona Borealis is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.