Corvus is a small constellation located in the Southern Hemisphere, representing a crow or raven. Its name is Latin for "raven" or "crow," and it is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. Although small in size, Corvus is relatively easy to identify due to its distinctive shape, resembling a quadrilateral or a crooked box.
Key Features
Corvus contains several notable stars and deep-sky objects despite its modest size. The most prominent feature is the quadrilateral asterism formed by its four brightest stars: Gienah, Kraz, Algorab, and Minkar. This shape makes the constellation easy to spot in the night sky.
- Gienah (Gamma Corvi): The brightest star in Corvus, Gienah is a blue-white giant located about 165 light-years from Earth. It has an apparent magnitude of 2.59.
- Kraz (Beta Corvi): The second brightest star, Kraz is a yellow giant star with an apparent magnitude of 2.65, located about 140 light-years away.
- Algorab (Delta Corvi): A double star system, Algorab has an apparent magnitude of 2.95 and is located approximately 87 light-years from Earth.
- Minkar (Epsilon Corvi): A red giant star with an apparent magnitude of 3.0, Minkar is located around 303 light-years from Earth.
Mythology
In Greek mythology, Corvus is associated with the story of Apollo, the god of prophecy, and his sacred bird, the raven. According to the myth, Apollo sent the raven to fetch water in a cup (represented by the neighboring constellation Crater). However, the raven delayed its task, either because it was distracted by figs or because it was lazy. To cover up its tardiness, the raven captured a water snake (represented by the constellation Hydra) and returned to Apollo with the snake, blaming it for the delay. However, Apollo saw through the raven's deceit and, in his anger, placed the raven, the cup, and the snake in the sky as constellations, where the raven is forever cursed to be thirsty.
Notable Stars
- Gienah (Gamma Corvi): A blue-white giant and the brightest star in the constellation.
- Kraz (Beta Corvi): A yellow giant star and the second brightest in Corvus.
- Algorab (Delta Corvi): A double star system, interesting for amateur astronomers due to its contrasting components.
- Minkar (Epsilon Corvi): A red giant star adding a different hue to the constellation.
Visibility
Corvus is best observed in the spring months in the Northern Hemisphere, especially around April and May. It lies close to the celestial equator, making it visible from most of the Earth's surface, though it is more easily seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
Tips for Observing
- Find the quadrilateral: Look for the distinctive four-sided shape formed by the constellation's brightest stars to easily locate Corvus.
- Use nearby constellations: Corvus is located near the constellations Virgo and Hydra. Use these larger constellations as guides to find Corvus in the night sky.
- Best viewing time: The constellation is best viewed in the late evening during April and May when it is highest in the sky.