Alpha CVn (HIP 63125)
COR CAROLI
Object Data
- Catalog Designation
- HIP 63125; Alpha2 CVn; 12 CVn
- Type
- DoubleStar
- Constellation
- CVn
- Magnitude
- 2.90
- Right Ascension
- 12h 56m 01.7s
- Declination
- +38° 19' 06.0"
- Distance
- 115 light-years
- HR
- 4915
- HIP
- 63125
- Bayer
- Alpha2
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About Alpha CVn (HIP 63125)
Description
Cor Caroli is a chemically peculiar star of spectral type A0pSiEuHg at magnitude 2.90, the brightest star in Canes Venatici (the Hunting Dogs). Located about 110 light-years from Earth, it is the prototype of the Alpha2 Canum Venaticorum class of magnetic variable stars, with starspots of concentrated silicon, europium, and mercury. It is a wide double with a fainter companion visible in small telescopes.
Observing Tips
Cor Caroli lies below the handle of the Big Dipper, about 7 degrees south of Alkaid. A small telescope reveals the companion (magnitude 5.5) about 19 arcseconds away. It is the starting point for finding the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and other Canes Venatici deep-sky objects. Best observed March through July.
History
The name Cor Caroli means 'the Heart of Charles,' named by Edmund Halley in honor of King Charles I of England (some sources say Charles II). It is one of the few bright stars named after a modern historical figure rather than derived from Arabic or classical sources.
Fun Facts
Cor Caroli defines an entire class of chemically peculiar variable stars. Its strong magnetic field concentrates rare elements into spots on its surface, causing small brightness variations as it rotates — a stellar version of sunspots, but driven by magnetic chemistry.