Constellation · Com
Coma Berenices
Berenice's Hair
A faint constellation containing the Coma Star Cluster and the direction of the north galactic pole, which gives a view out of the Milky Way's disc to many distant galaxies.
Magnitude 4.23
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (spring in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Coma Berenices
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Diadem (Alpha Comae Berenices)mag 4.32
- Al Dafirah (Gamma Comae Berenices)mag 4.35
- Polaris Galacticus Borealismag 4.93
- Kissinmag 5.47
Can you see Coma Berenices from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Coma Berenices |
|---|---|
| 60°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
Questions about Coma Berenices
When is Coma Berenices best seen?
Coma Berenices stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in May. That makes spring evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Coma Berenices?
The brightest star in Coma Berenices is Beta Comae Berenices, magnitude 4.23.
Where on Earth can you see Coma Berenices?
The whole of Coma Berenices can be seen from latitudes between about 57°S and 90°N. From 40°N: The whole constellation rises and sets. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Coma Berenices mean?
Coma Berenices is Latin for "Berenice's Hair". Added by European astronomers in the 1500s and early 1600s.