Abbreviation:

CrA

English name:

Southern Crown

Coordinates

see Stellar data

Particulars:

• Double stars gamma CrA, kappa CrA, lambda CrA
• Globular cluster NGC 6541

General:

A small constellation of the southern hemisphere. It lies at the south-western edge of Sagittarius, north of Telescopium (between RA=18h and RA=19h 20m, DECL=-37 degrees and DECL=-45 degrees).
As Corona Australis is located at the edge of the Milky Way it is still an interesting constellation for observations although it is so small.
On 25th of September 1997 the Hubble Space Telescope sends a picture of a neutron star alone in space located in this constellation.

Stars and other objects

The double gamma CrA (b52) consists of a tight pair of F8 main sequence stars of 5th mag. The two stars revolve each other with a period of 120 years. To split this pair a telescope with an aperture of at least 100 mm and a high magnification may be needed.
Much easier to observe is kappa CrA. The A0 giant of 6.32 mag and it companion, a B9 main sequence star of 5.65 mag, build a wide pair, which can easily be separated with a small scope.
The white main sequence star lambda CrA (spectral type A2Vn) shows in small scopes a 9th mag companion.
The globular cluster NGC6541 is a nice object for small scopes and binoculars. It is of 6th mag and lies in a distance of estimated 14000 lightyears. The coordinates are DECL=-43 deg 42 min and RA=18h 08m.

Mythological Background

According to "The Night Sky" by Ian Ridpath this constellation was known to the ancient reeks (despite of its very southern location). Their legends said that Corona Australis is the crown of the neighboring centaur, Sagittarius.