Star profile

Alpha Comae Berenices

Binary system

3D likeness based on its real data · class F · ~6,500 K

What is Alpha Comae Berenices

Alpha Comae Berenices is a spectacular binary system of two near-twin yellow-white stars, just 47 light-years away. Its orbit, seen almost edge-on from Earth, could yield mutual eclipses visible roughly every twenty-six years —a rare phenomenon among such bright stars. It lies in the tresses of Berenice, the only constellation dedicated to a historical queen of ancient Egypt.

Where it is and when to see it

Alpha Comae Berenices lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is March, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 56° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 67° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 39° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 72° S.

It ranks no. 20 in brightness among the 39 stars of Coma Berenices in our catalogue. To find it, start from Beta Comae Berenices, the brightest: it lies about 10° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 47 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

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Astronomical data for Alpha Comae Berenices

Constellation: Coma Berenices
Apparent magnitude: 5.17
Distance: 46.7 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 197.496° · Dec 17.529°
Catalogue: HYG 118869 · HD 114379

A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.

Other stars in Coma Berenices

Coma Berenices has 39 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 39 stars in Coma Berenices