Constellation Corona Borealis (Northern Crown)

Corona Borealis
Corona Borealis: IAU Constellation Map [150]

Properties

The constellation is east of the boat's 'cornet'. It contains an arc of seven stars, open to the north, all of which, with the exception of one, belong to the 4th magnitude; the exception is the main star 2nd magnitude, Gemma, which appears like a special gem. The constellation area is 179 square degrees and the center of the constellation culminates around midnight on May 20th. [9, 15]

Stars with Proper Names:

  • α CrB: Alphekka, Alphecca, Alphacca, Gemma, Gnosia, The Jewel, Gnosia Stella Coronae, Ashtaroth
  • β CrB: Nusakan
  • ?: Blaze Star
Data for constellation Corona Borealis [150]
IAU NameCorona Borealis
IAU GenitiveCoronae Borealis
IAU Abbr.CrB
English NameNorthern Crown
Season (47° N)January … September
Right Ascension15h 16m 04s … 16h 25m 07s
Declination+25° 32' 17" … +39° 42' 42"
Area179 deg2
Neighbours (N↻)Her, Boo, Ser
Constellation Corona Borealis
Constellation Corona Borealis: Illustration from «Uranometria» by Johann Bayer, copper engraving by Alexander Mair, 1603 [28]

Mythology and History

Corona Borealis is an ancient constellation that represents the gem-studded tiara that Dionysus bequeathed to Ariadne as a wedding gift and hurled it into the sky after her death. Another interpretation sees in it the crown with which Theseus thanked Ariadne for her rescue operation from the labyrinth. Still others suspected it was a wreath of honor. [7]

The natives of Australia call the constellation Woomera and see it as the weapon that we call boomerang. The Indians in the Rio Negro river basin in northern Brazil see an armadillo in Corona Borealis because of the semicircular arrangement that appears to be open at the bottom. [20]

Catalogs

Yale Bright Star Catalogue, 5th Revised Ed. (Hoffleit+, 1991) [154]
HR B F DM HD SAO FK5 IR M* ADS VarID RA Dec vMag spType dMag Sep ["] Remarks
HR 5702BD+33 257413640364630 15 19 30.2+32 30 556.32 A2m SB:3.5773d, K 59.4k/s, V0 -22.2k/s, msin3i 0.492, asini 2.91.
HR 5709ο1BD+30 264713651283768W 7032 15 20 08.5+29 36 585.51 K0III 3.9147.3
HR 5727η2BD+30 2653137107646739617 A7054 15 23 12.3+30 17 165.58 H G0V 0.30.5D:AB 5.62 G1V, 5.89 G3V, 41.623y, a = 0.907". B is HR 5728. Colors for combined images. Mag. for blend 4.98V. Masses,D:0.95 and 0.94 solar. C, 13.4v at 58" optical; D, 11v at 215" probably optical.,DYN:0.054".,G:UMa cluster; Sirius group? UMa stream.,SB:ADS 9617A, 41.56y D, K 4.5k/s, V0 -6.0k/s, asini 904.,VAR:Blend of 5727/8, 4.94 - 5.02V. Uncertain which component is the variable.
HR 5728η2BD+30 265313710809617 B7054 15 23 12.3+30 17 166.08 H G3V 0.30.5D:See HR 5727.,DYN:0.054".,G:UMa stream.,VAR:See HR 5727.
HR 5747β3BD+29 267013790983831572W Bet CrB15 27 49.7+29 06 213.68 F0p v1.50.3D:First astrometric binary discovered from parallax measurements, by K. Burns, 1931.,G:Hyades group.,N:Nusakan.,S:Also classified A8IIIpSrCrEu. Extreme oxygen deficiency relative to magnesium. Magnetic field an indicator of stellar,S:rotation. Uranium 3860 but not thorium in spectrum.,SB:10.496y, K 9.2k/s, V0 -18.0k/s, asini 442. The two SB components first resolved visually 1975. Possible secondary RV,SB:period 320.17d. Resolved by speckle interferometry 1986.45, sep. 0.31".,VAR:Alpha CV 3.65 - 3.72V, 18.487d. Magnetic field and rotation same period. Variable H alpha. Amp., light,,VAR:magnetic field, spectrum vary per. 10.5y. Possible secondary light period of 240d.
HR 5760BD+31 274213834164736 15 30 22.7+31 17 106.46 A4IV
HR 5769BD+37 265313852564754 15 31 22.4+36 36 596.38 F6III
HR 5778θ4BD+31 275013874964769576W 7134/5 15 32 55.8+31 21 334.14 B6Vnne 1.40.5G:Member of the local association (Pleiades group).,RV:Primary probably not variable and velocity probably constant.,VAR:Component A is NSV 7134, 4.12V, amp. 0.7m. However, 1300 UBV observations on 57 nights (1984-6) revealed no variation,VAR:over 0.06 mag. R-I also found at -0.16. Component B, the rarely seen companion, is NSV 7135, 5.5, 7.8v.
HR 5793α5BD+27 251213900683893578I Alp CrB15 34 41.3+26 42 532.23 A0V+G5V G:Sirius group; UMa stream.,N:ALPHEKKA; Alphecca; Alphacca; Gemma; Gnosia; The Jewel; Gnosia Stella Coronae; Ashtaroth.,SB:17.3599d, K 35.8k/s, V0 +1.5k/s, asini 7.83; EB, i 88.3d.,VAR:EA 2.21 - 2.32B, 17.359907d. Possibly also intrinsic var.
HR 5800μ6BD+39 288913915364790I 15 35 15.0+39 00 365.11 M1.5III-IIIb
HR 5808BD+38 267813928464797 15 35 49.3+38 22 266.42 R K2
HR 5813BD+30 268213938964808 15 36 53.4+29 59 286.52 F5V:
HR 5827BD+35 2711139761648253238 15 38 48.9+34 40 306.11 K0
HR 5833ζ17BD+37 2665139891648339737 B15 39 22.2+36 38 126.00 H B9V 1.06.4D:Binary with HR 5834. Colors for combined light; combined mag., 66V.,DYN:0.010".
HR 5834ζ27BD+37 2665139892648349737 A15 39 22.7+36 38 095.07 H B7V 1.06.4D:Binary with HR 5833.,DYN:0.010".,SB:ADS 9737A, B6V+B6V, 12.5842d, K 126.1k/s, V0 -14.3k/s, msin3i 9.40, asini 21.8. Both components vsini 100:k/s.
HR 5849γ8BD+26 2722140436839589757 Gam CrB15 42 44.6+26 17 443.84 B9IV+A3V 1.50.2D:4.08 A0IV, 5.51 A3V, 91.0y, a = 0.74". Combined mag., color.,DYN:0.018".,G:Hyades group.,SB:ADS 9757A.,VAR:Delta Sct 3.80-3.86V, 0.030d. Mass 1.9 solar. Possibly beat period?
HR 5855π9BD+32 2621140716648703249 15 43 59.3+32 30 575.56 gG9
HR 5877BD+32 263114145664915I 15 48 02.0+31 44 096.44 R K5
HR 5880BD+28 247714152784015I R CrB15 48 34.4+28 09 245.85 G0Iep C:IR excess.,S:Hydrogen deficient carbon star. At minimum, emission of CaII, NaI, ScII, TiII, SrII, and FeII. Spectra at 2 and 10,S:micrometers indicate a thick dust shell either around R CrB or a companion.,VAR:R CB 5.8 - 14.8v. The prototype star, discovered by Pigott in 1795.
HR 5889δ10BD+26 2737141714840193252I Del CrB15 49 35.7+26 04 064.63 G3.5III-IVFe-1
HR 5901κ11BD+36 2652142091649481414IW 15 51 13.9+35 39 274.82 K1IVa 6.7134.6
HR 5936λ12BD+38 2712142908649743259W 15 55 47.6+37 56 495.45 F0IV 4.594.3S:Also classified A7III.
HR 5947ε13BD+27 255814310784098593I9859 15 57 35.3+26 52 404.15 K2IIIab 7.3101.4D:Component B, 12.6v at 2", CPM.,M:Possible X-ray source 3U1555+27.
HR 5957BD+37 269514343565001I 15 58 57.7+36 38 385.62 gK5
HR 5958BD+26 276514345484129IW T CrB15 59 30.2+25 55 132.00 H sdBe+gM3+Q 0.2D:Visual companion doubtful.,N:"Blaze Star.",SB:227.6d, K 24.0k/s, V0 -27.0k/s, msin3i 2.60, asini 75.0.,VAR:Nr 2.0 - 10.8v, 29000d? Outbursts 1866 and 1946. V and B-V for 1946 maximum. Near maximum 9.88V, +1.40(B-V),,VAR:+0.59(U-B).
HR 5968ρ15BD+33 266314376165024W 16 01 02.7+33 18 135.41 G0+VaFe-1 3.289.6D:Companion optical.
HR 5971ι14BD+30 2738143807841523264 7396 16 01 26.6+29 51 044.99 A0p:Hg: G:Pleiades group.,RV:384d?,S:HgMn star. Overabundant mercury.,VAR:Alpha CV?, 4.96 - 5.08V.
HR 5983BD+37 270814420865049S 16 03 19.4+36 37 545.83 A2V+F7III S:Also classified G5II-III + A3.,SB:108.075d, K 19.6k/s, V0 -1.9k/s, msin3i 0.477, asini 29.1. vsini of F7 component =<50k/s; A2 component 23k/s.
HR 6018τ16BD+36 2699145328651081423I9939 7488 16 08 58.3+36 29 274.76 K1-III-IV 8.32.2D:CPM.
HR 6043BD+33 2696145802651299958 16 11 39.7+33 20 336.29 K2III 4.35.4D:AB binary. C, 10.5v at 78".
HR 6046BD+36 270614584965132IW 16 11 48.0+36 25 305.63 K3III 0.10.1D:Sep. 0.090".,SB:2150d, K 16.0k/s, V0 -30.6k/s, asini 378. Unresolved by speckle interferometry. Uncertain if visual secondary is,SB:also the SB secondary.
HR 6052BD+27 2603145976842479966 16 12 45.3+26 40 156.50 F3V 3.82.6
HR 6063σ17BD+34 2750146361651659979 ATZ CrB16 14 40.8+33 51 315.64 G0VCaIIe 1.06.4D:AB 5.58 F8V, 6.59 G1V, 1000.0y, a = 6.599". Radio binary: component B is HR 6064. C, 13v at 9" and D, 10.8v at 71",D:optical. Also, 12.5v at 633" CPM.,DYN:0.048".,SB:ADS 9979A, mag. diff 0.2, one component the Delta Sct var. 1.1398d, K 60.1k/s, V0 -11.9k/s, msin3i 0.133,,SB:asini 0.942. Both components vsini =<25k/s.,VAR:ADS 9979A, Delta Sct, amp. 0.05V, 1.139789d, with possible secondary period of 0.1d. ADS 9979D = NSV 7576, 10.8v,VAR:optical, suspected var. in 1868, not confirmed.
HR 6064σ17BD+34 275014636209979 B16 14 40.8+33 51 306.66 H G1V 1.06.4D:Binary with HR 6063, q.v.,DYN:0.047".
HR 6068BD+27 261314653784269 16 15 47.4+27 25 206.14 K2
HR 6074υ18BD+29 28031467388428132879990 7596 16 16 44.8+29 09 015.78 A3V 4.3123.4G:Sirius group? UMa stream.
HR 6103ξ19BD+31 2845147677652543294IW 16 22 05.8+30 53 314.85 K0III 7.4185.1G:Hyades group.
HR 6107ν120BD+34 277314774965257IW 7676 16 22 21.4+33 47 575.20 M2IIIab 0.1364.4
HR 6108ν221BD+34 277414776765259I 16 22 29.2+33 42 135.39 K5III
HR 6110BD+32 271614783565262142810031 16 22 56.5+32 19 596.40 A4Vn 2.932.4D:Visual companion, 9.76V, +0.87(B-V), +0.43, G7IV:.,G:In Ursa cluster?,N:23 Her in CrB.,RV:ADS 10031B, +44k/s, optical.,SB:ADS 10031A.

Revised+Historic NGC/IC, Version 22/9, © Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke [277]
Galaxies
NameRADecTypebMagvMagDimDreyer DescriptionIdentification, Remarks
NGC 592415 22 02.0+31 13 57Sa15.514.60.8 × 0.3Neb *, vF, S, F * close sMCG 5-36-15, CGCG 165-43
NGC 595815 34 49.1+28 39 19Sc13.412.71 × 1pF, pL, iR, bM, rUGC 9909, MCG 5-37-3, CGCG 166-9, IRAS 15327+2849
NGC 596115 35 16.2+30 51 51Sb14.514.10.8 × 0.3pF, S, E pfUGC 9918, MCG 5-37-5, CGCG 166-13, ARAK 478, IRAS 15332+3101
NGC 597415 39 02.3+31 45 35Sc14.714.20.6 × 0.3vF, vS, R, bMUGC 9952, MCG 5-37-10, CGCG 166-25, ARAK 482, IRAS 15370+3155
NGC 600115 47 45.9+28 38 30Sc14.313.61 × 1vF, S, RUGC 10036, MCG 5-37-27, CGCG 166-58
NGC 600215 49 42.0+28 31 36S14.313.40.7 × 0.3Neb 100" s of III 371CGCG 166-62
NGC 601615 55 54.9+26 58 02SBc15.014.31 × 0.5vF, S, EUGC 10096, MCG 5-38-1, CGCG 167-4, IRAS 15538+2706
NGC 603816 02 40.4+37 21 34Sc14.213.51.1 × 1.1vF, S, R, * 10 sfUGC 10149, MCG 6-35-26, CGCG 195-8, IRAS 16008+3729
NGC 606916 07 41.6+38 55 53S015.314.30.8 × 0.8vF * in vF, vS, R nebMCG 7-33-43, CGCG 223-42
NGC 6076 116 11 12.9+26 52 19E015.014.00.4 × 0.4vF, S, EUGC 10253, MCG 5-38-23, CGCG 167-34, near SAO 84233
NGC 6076 216 11 13.7+26 52 25E015.414.40.4 × 0.4vF, S, EUGC 10253, MCG 5-38-23, CGCG 167-34, near SAO 84233
NGC 607716 11 14.0+26 55 26E114.313.31.2 × 1.1F, sbMUGC 10254, MCG 5-38-24, CGCG 167-35, NPM1G +27.0518, near SAO 84233
NGC 608516 12 35.1+29 21 56Sa13.913.01.5 × 1.2F, SUGC 10269, MCG 5-38-34, CGCG 167-44, NPM1G +29.0373
NGC 608616 12 35.6+29 29 06E313.812.81.7 × 1.2F, vS, stellar NUGC 10270, MCG 5-38-35, CGCG 167-45
NGC 6089 116 12 40.3+33 02 07S0-a14.713.80.9 × 0.6vF, S, R, bMMCG 6-36-1, CGCG 196-4, CGCG 196-91, KUG 1610+331A
NGC 6089 216 12 41.6+33 02 18C15.514.50.3 × 0.3vF, S, R, bMMCG 6-36-1, CGCG 196-4, CGCG 196-91
NGC 609616 14 46.6+26 33 34Sb15.114.30.9 × 0.4vF, vS, R, bMMCG 5-38-44, CGCG 167-57, NPM1G +26.0416
NGC 609716 14 26.2+35 06 33S0-a14.813.91.1 × 0.6Neb * 13 mMCG 6-36-7, CGCG 196-11
NGC 610216 15 36.9+28 09 32Sc14.613.91.2 × 0.8vF, S, RUGC 10300, MCG 5-38-47, CGCG 167-60
NGC 610316 15 44.5+31 57 50Sbc14.713.90.7 × 0.5vF, S, R, vglbMUGC 10302, MCG 5-38-49, CGCG 167-62, IRAS 16138+3205
NGC 610416 16 30.6+35 42 27SBa14.213.30.8 × 0.7vF, S, iRUGC 10309, MCG 6-36-11, CGCG 196-20, IRAS 16146+3549
NGC 610516 17 09.2+34 52 46SBa15.314.40.6 × 0.4F, S, R, gvlbMMCG 6-36-13, CGCG 196-23, NPM1G +35.0367, KUG 1615+350B
NGC 610716 17 20.1+34 54 08E314.913.81.5 × 1.1F, vSUGC 10311, MCG 6-36-14, CGCG 196-24, KUG 1615+350C, near SAO 65201
NGC 610816 17 25.5+35 08 09SBab15.214.41.1 × 1eF, vS, R, lbMMCG 6-36-15, CGCG 196-25, KUG 1615+352A
NGC 610916 17 40.5+35 00 15S013.812.71 × 1F, S, R, gbMUGC 10316, MCG 6-36-16, CGCG 196-26, KUG 1615+351C
NGC 611016 17 43.9+35 05 15Sab15.614.80.6 × 0.3eF, vS, R, gbMCGCG 196-27, KUG 1615+352C
NGC 611216 18 00.5+35 06 39E215.014.01 × 0.8vF, vS, R, bMMCG 6-36-17, CGCG 196-28, NPM1G +35.0371, KUG 1616+352A
NGC 611416 18 23.5+35 10 28Sbc15.114.31.2 × 0.6eF, S, R, glbMMCG 6-36-19, CGCG 196-30, KUG 1616+352B
NGC 611616 18 54.5+35 09 14Sb15.114.32.2 × 0.9vF, vS, R, gbMUGC 10336, MCG 6-36-21, CGCG 196-32, KUG 1617+352
NGC 611716 19 18.2+37 05 43Sc14.313.61.2 × 1.2vF, S, RNGC 6117A, UGC 10338, MCG 6-36-22, CGCG 196-36, IRAS 16174+3712
NGC 6117 B16 19 21.6+37 04 08Sbc15.915.10.6 × 0.3vF, S, RMCG 6-36-24, KUG 1617+371
NGC 611916 19 42.0+37 48 24Sc16.015.30.7 × 0.5vF, eS, RMCG 6-36-26, CGCG 196-40, KUG 1617+379
NGC 612016 19 48.1+37 46 27Sd/P14.513.91 × 0.7vF, vS, R, D * nfUGC 10343, MCG 6-36-29, CGCG 196-41, IRAS 16180+3753, 1ZW 141, KUG 1618+378
NGC 612216 20 09.4+37 47 55S015.614.60.9 × 0.3vF, R, no NMCG 6-36-32, NPM1G +37.0511
NGC 612616 21 27.8+36 22 38S014.613.61 × 1F, vS, R, bMSNUGC 10353, MCG 6-36-35, CGCG 196-46, KUG 1619+364B, 1ZW 144, NPM1G +36.0396
NGC 612916 21 43.2+37 59 47S015.014.00.8 × 0.8eF, vS, R, lbMMCG 6-36-37, CGCG 196-48, NPM1G +38.0362
NGC 613116 21 52.3+38 56 12SBc13.813.31 × 1vF, pL, iR, difNGC 6131A, UGC 10356, MCG 7-34-4, KUG 1620+390A, IRAS 16201+3902, CGCG 224-4
NGC 6131 B16 22 00.4+38 54 57S015.514.50.4 × 0.2vF, pL, iR, difMCG 7-34-5, KUG 1620+390B
NGC 613716 23 03.1+37 55 21E413.412.41.9 × 1.2F, S, iR, bMNGC 6137A, UGC 10364, MCG 6-36-39, CGCG 196-63
NGC 6137 B16 22 59.6+37 56 57S0-a15.614.70.5 × 0.5F, S, iR, bMMCG 6-36-38, CGCG 196-52
NGC 614216 23 21.0+37 15 30Sb14.613.82 × 0.5eF, S, bMUGC 10366, MCG 6-36-41, CGCG 196-56, KUG 1621+373
IC 113815 48 15.8+26 12 22S0-a15.414.50.9 × 0.2vF, S, iF, lbM, rUGC 10038, CGCG 136-82
IC 1166 116 02 08.9+26 19 30S15.514.70.4 × 0.2vF, vS, vF * nfMK 867, CGCG 137-18, KUG 1600+264, IRAS 16000+2628
IC 1166 216 02 09.0+26 19 45S15.514.70.6 × 0.6vF, vS, vF * nfMK 867, CGCG 137-18
IC 120816 15 47.8+36 31 39S0-a15.314.41 × 0.2vF, * 7 105" nCGCG 196-16, near SAO 65183
IC 453915 18 31.0+32 23 34SB?16.115.30.4 × 0.4F, S, R, vlbMMCG 6-34-3
IC 454615 26 58.4+28 51 07SBc15.214.50.7 × 0.5F, vS, R, * 13 attMCG 5-36-31, CGCG 165-57
IC 454715 27 15.0+28 47 22E-S015.314.30.7 × 0.6F, S, R, N, rCGCG 165-58, NPM1G +28.0341
IC 454815 27 23.9+28 51 01E016.615.60.3 × 0.3vF, S, iF, rNPM1G +29.0345
IC 456815 40 07.6+28 09 07Sb15.314.50.6 × 0.3F, S, R, NCGCG 166-28
IC 456915 40 48.3+28 17 33S14.814.00.9 × 0.6pB, D * 13 in S nebMCG 5-37-13, CGCG 166-32, NPM1G +28.0350
IC 457015 41 22.5+28 13 45Sc14.814.10.9 × 0.8F, cS, RUGC 9975, MCG 5-37-14, CGCG 166-35, IRAS 15393+2823
IC 457215 41 54.2+28 08 01SBa14.613.71 × 0.7pB, cS, gbM, dif, rMCG 5-37-16, CGCG 166-37
IC 457415 41 59.2+28 14 24Sa15.714.80.3 × 0.1pF, S, RCGCG 166-38
IC 458015 43 14.3+28 21 23SB0-a15.414.50.6 × 0.2F, S, RCGCG 166-41
IC 458115 44 01.4+28 16 36SBc15.114.40.9 × 0.8F, S, iF, * 12.5 nrMCG 5-37-19, CGCG 166-46
IC 458215 45 39.4+28 05 19SBbc14.814.01.3 × 0.3F, S, E pf, gbM, * 12.5 f 6s.5UGC 10021, MCG 5-37-20, CGCG 166-52, IRAS 15435+2814
IC 458715 59 51.5+25 56 28E015.314.30.4 × 0.4eF, eS, T Coronae spCGCG 137-12, NPM1G +26.0412
IC 459016 08 21.1+28 28 43E+C?15.714.70.3 × 0.3F, S, gbM, difMCG 5-38-18, CGCG 167-29, double system ?

References

7«Der grosse Kosmos-Himmelsführer» von Ian Ridpath und Wil Tirion; Kosmos Verlag; ISBN 3-440-05787-9
9«Drehbare Sternkarte SIRIUS» von H. Suter-Haug; Hallwag-Verlag, Bern
15«Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes» by David Malin and David J. Frew; Melbourne University Press 1995; ISBN 0-522-84553-3
20«Sternbilder und ihre Mythen» von Gerhard Fasching; Zweite, verbesserte Auflage; Springer Verlag Wien, New York; ISBN 3-211-82552-5 (Wien); ISBN 0-387-82552-5 (New York)
28«Uranometria omnium asterismorum continens schemata, nova methodo delineata aereis laminis expressa» Johann Bayer, Augsburg, 1603; DOI:10.3931/e-rara-309
150IAU: The Constellations, 11. Oktober 2020; iau.org/public/themes/constellations
154Yale Bright Star Catalog, 15. Oktober 2020; tdc-www.harvard.edu/catalogs/bsc5.html
277«Historische Deep-Sky Kataloge» von Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke; klima-luft.de/steinicke (2021-02-17)