Archive

Archive for June 9, 2023

06/09/2023 – Ephemeris – How to find Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown

June 9, 2023 Comments off

This is Bob Moler with Ephemeris for Friday, June 9th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 29 minutes, setting at 9:27, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:57. The Moon, 1 day before last quarter, will rise at 2:13 tomorrow morning.

High in the southeast at 11 p.m. can be found a small but easily spotted constellation of Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown. It is located just east or left of the kite shaped constellation of Boötes, with its bright star Arcturus at the bottom. The Northern Crown is a three-quarters circle of stars, like a tiara, with a brighter star Alphecca at the bottom. Alphecca in Arabic means “Bright star of the broken ring of stars”. According to Greek mythology it belonged to Princess Ariadne, daughter of King Minos of Crete who helped Theseus escape from the Labyrinth of the Minotaur, only to be abandoned by him on an island. To the Native Chippewa and Ottawa of our area it is the Sweat Lodge.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT –4 hours). They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Corona Borealis finder animation
Corona Borealis finder animation. The Northern Crown is located about one third the distance between the first magnitude stars Arcturus and Vega. Alphecca, the brightest star in Corona Borealis is located between the o and r in Borealis when the constellation label appears. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.
There are four constellations included in and between the bright stars Arcturus and Vega. I’ve posted about each of these constellations in the past and will again in the future. Created using Stellarium.

Next Monday I will post about Hercules.

Categories: Constellations, Ephemeris Program, Mythology, Observing Tags: , ,