Exploring the Mythology and Stars of Corona Borealis

In this piece, we delve into the mythology, history, and prominent stars of the constellation known as Corona Borealis. Additionally, I will share my personal reflections on this constellation, accompanied by images that I find particularly captivating.

1. IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY:

Corona Borealis is said to represent the crown of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete. Every nine years, seven boys and seven girls from Athens were sent to Crete as a sacrifice to the Minotaur, a creature that was part man and part bull, confined within a labyrinth.

Theseus, the heir to the Athenian throne, volunteered to be one of the seven youths sent to Crete. Once on the island, Ariadne fell in love with him and resolved to help him escape, on the condition that he would marry her upon their return to Athens. She provided him with a ball of golden thread to navigate the labyrinth. After reaching the center, Theseus killed the Minotaur. However, Ariadne was abandoned on Naxos, where she eventually died of heartbreak. Dionysus took her crown and placed it among the stars. Thus, this constellation symbolizes the golden thread that Ariadne gave to Theseus.

The Persians and Arabs referred to this stellar figure as the "dervish's plate" or "beggar's bowl," and noted the incomplete circle formed by the stars, calling it the "broken bowl."

2. HISTORY:

Corona Borealis is a beautiful constellation located near Arcturus, or Bootes, shining brightly in the northern hemisphere during spring nights. Its main stars create a semicircular arc and it crosses the +30° parallel, making it difficult to observe from the southern hemisphere. Positioned at 0° north of the galactic equator, it contains few star clusters or globular clusters. The constellation is bordered by Hercules and Bootes to the north and east, while it limits to the south with Serpens Caput (SCp) and to the west and north with Hercules.

3. MAIN STARS:

• α Coronae Borealis (Alphecca, Gemma, or Gnosia): This binary star, with a magnitude of 2.22, is located 72 light-years from the Solar System. The primary star is white, accompanied by a companion that orbits every 17.4 days.

• β Coronae Borealis (Nusakan): The second brightest star in the constellation, it has a magnitude of 3.66 and is also a binary system with components separated by 0.3 arc seconds.

• γ Coronae Borealis: Another binary star, situated 145 light-years away.

• δ Coronae Borealis: A yellow star and significant source of X-rays, located 165 light-years from Earth.

• θ Coronae Borealis: A binary star with a magnitude of 4.14, whose main component is an eruptive variable star.

• ι Coronae Borealis: A spectroscopic binary and mercury-manganese star with a magnitude of 4.98.

• κ Coronae Borealis: An orange giant star with a magnitude of 4.82, which has an extrasolar planet.

• ν Coronae Borealis: An optical double star formed by two red-orange giants, ν1 and ν2 Coronae Borealis.

• ρ Coronae Borealis: A solar analog with a magnitude of 5.39 that also hosts an extrasolar planet.

• σ Coronae Borealis: A triple star system located 71 light-years away, consisting of three yellow dwarfs.

In my view, Corona Borealis is a constellation rich in stars, making it quite intriguing. While it may lack unusual surrounding objects, its numerous stars contribute to its interest. All these stars form a crown, which is reflected in the name Corona Borealis, as illustrated in the accompanying image.