Cor Caroli: A captivating star in the CVn constellation, a relatively unremarkable member of the celestial panorama. This star possesses a visual magnitude of 2.904, placing it firmly in the ‘Dim’ category within the known sky. Notably, it exhibits a prop

The star Cor Caroli’s recognizable status is primarily driven by its brightness and relative position within the galactic center. Sirius, traditionally regarded as the brightest star in the sky for a long time, is significantly brighter and closer than Cor Caroli, offering a captivating visual presence. Compared to Sirius, Cor Caroli occupies a considerably lesser spatial area compared to the larger, more widely recognized bright stars, yet its relative positioning within the vastness of the night allows for its distinctive observation of the celestial sphere for many generations of stargazers. Its relative location means there's a noticeable angle of its orbit that can influence its observing angles for observation.

Considering the historical perspective of stellar classification and the nature of a relatively unassuming star, the choice of Cor Carolo for a symbolic dedication – a testament to its enduring beauty and unwavering presence – could evoke feelings of deep contemplation. It's a celestial relic, subtly influencing the subtle patterns in the nighttime sky long after other stars have faded and dissipated. It reflects the enduring, calm force of time – a constant, silent observer, charting courses through the cosmos.

How to see it

Cor Caroli has a visual magnitude of about 2.90: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Cor Caroli: right ascension 12h 56m 1s, declination +38° 19′ 7″ (J2000), in the region of the Canes Venatici constellation (IAU figure CVn).

Canes Venatici — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Cor Caroli. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 12Alp2CVn, HIP 63125, HD 112413, Gaia DR3 1517698716348324992. In the SkyKeepsake Canes Venatici (CVn) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 1517698716348324992

HIP

63125

HD

112413

gaia_dr3

1517698716348324992

Bayer / Flamsteed

12Alp2CVn

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

2.90