Star profile

Gamma Coronae Borealis

Variable star

3D likeness based on its real data · class A · ~8,500 K

What is Gamma Coronae Borealis

Gamma Coronae Borealis is a binary star that pulses softly in the diadem of the Northern Crown, about 146 light-years away. It throbs to an extraordinarily brief rhythm —barely 43 minutes per cycle— and was the earliest known Delta Scuti variable with such an early spectral type. Its behaviour is so peculiar that it gave its name to a separate class of variables, the Maia stars, where physical models have yet to fully identify what engine sustains the heartbeat.

Where it is and when to see it

Gamma Coronae Borealis lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is May, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 65° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 76° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 30° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 64° S.

It ranks no. 3 in brightness among the 26 stars of Corona Borealis in our catalogue. To find it, start from Alphecca, the brightest: it lies about 2° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 150 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Gamma Coronae Borealis

Constellation: Corona Borealis
Apparent magnitude: 3.81
Distance: 146.1 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 235.686° · Dec 26.296°
Catalogue: HIP 76952 · HD 140436

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Other stars in Corona Borealis

Corona Borealis has 26 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 26 stars in Corona Borealis