Constellation · CrB
Corona Borealis
The Northern Crown
A small, tidy semicircle of stars whose brightest member, Alphecca, shines at about magnitude 2.2.
Magnitude 2.22
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (summer 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 Corona Borealis
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Alphecca (Alpha Coronae Borealis)mag 2.22
- Nusakan (Beta Coronae Borealis)mag 3.66
- Variabilis Coronaemag 5.89
Can you see Corona Borealis 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 | Corona Borealis |
|---|---|
| 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 Corona Borealis
When is Corona Borealis best seen?
Corona Borealis stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in July. That makes summer evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Corona Borealis?
The brightest star in Corona Borealis is Alphecca (Alpha Coronae Borealis), magnitude 2.22.
Where on Earth can you see Corona Borealis?
The whole of Corona Borealis can be seen from latitudes between about 50°S and 90°N. From 40°N: The whole constellation rises and sets. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Corona Borealis mean?
Corona Borealis is Latin for "the Northern Crown". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).