Kraz in Becvar — Estrella en Cuervo

Kraz is a gigante amarilla of tipo espectral G5II at magnitude 2.65 in the constellation Corvus. Located a unos 146 años luz de la Tierra, it has a luminosity roughly 160 veces la solar and a temperatura superficial of about 5,100 K. It is the second brightest star in the small but distinctive trapezoidal constellation of the Crow.

Beta Corvi is part of the distinctive quadrilateral of Corvus — four stars forming a slightly lopsided rectangle that sits just south of Virgo. Despite its Beta designation, Kraz is not the brightest star en Corvus (that honor goes to Gamma Crv). It appears as a warm yellowish star. Mejor observación from March through June when Corvus rides highest in the southern cielo nocturno.

The name Kraz is of uncertain origin and only came into modern use in the 20th century — it may be derived from an obsolete Arabic star name. Corvus was one of the 48 original Ptolemaic constellations and represents the crow that Apollo sent to fetch water. The crow dallied and brought back a water snake (Hydra) as an excuse, and Apollo placed all three in the sky as a reminder.