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Cor Caroli, named for the heart of a king

Posted by in Brightest Stars | 4 months ago

Cor Caroli is a binary star and the brightest star in the northern constellation Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs. Its name means Heart of Charles.

Acrux, brightest star in Southern Cross

Posted by in Brightest Stars | 4 months ago

You have to go far south on Earth’s globe to see the Southern Cross. Bluish Acrux, aka Alpha Crucis, is its brightest star.

Alphard is the Snake’s Heart

Posted by in Brightest Stars | 5 months ago

Alphard – Heart of the Snake in constellation Hydra – is ascending in the east in the evening now, a sign of spring coming.

Canopus: Sky’s 2nd-brightest star

Posted by and in Astronomy Essentials | Brightest Stars | 5 months ago

Canopus is the 2nd-brightest star in the sky, and it’s easy to spot on February evenings, if …

Quietly, Regulus ushers in springtime

Posted by in Brightest Stars | 5 months ago

Regulus, brightest star in Leo the Lion, is now rising in the east after sunset. You might not notice it, but stargazers know that, when Regulus appears in this way, spring is near.

Sirius is Dog Star and brightest star

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | Brightest Stars | 5 months ago

February evenings are a great time to see Sirius. It’s hard to miss the brightest star in Earth’s sky. More about the Dog Star, plus how to spot it

Will star Betelgeuse explode?

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | Brightest Stars | 6 months ago

Yes, it will. The star Betelgeuse will run out of fuel, collapse under its own weight, and then rebound in a spectacular supernova explosion. Someday … but probably not soon.
Color image of the 2 golden stars in the Capella system.

Capella is 2 golden stars

Posted by in Brightest Stars | 6 months ago

We see Capella as the brightest star in the constellation Auriga the Charioteer. It’s really 2 stars, each with a golden color similar to our sun.

Star Al Risha binds the Fishes of Pisces

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | Brightest Stars | 8 months ago

The star Al Risha in the constellation Pisces isn’t bright. But – at the tip of the graceful V in Pisces – it’s very noticeable.

Almach: Quadruple star system

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | Brightest Stars | 9 months ago

With your eyes alone, Almach looks like a single star. Through a telescope, it looks like a colorful duo. But today we know Almach is really 4 stars.