Corvus constellation
Corvus (the Crow) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in May. Its brightest star is Gienah (magnitude 2.59). Corvus covers 184 square degrees and is the 70th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Corvus
Facts
| Latin name | Corvus (genitive: Corvi) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Crv |
| Meaning | the Crow |
| Area | 184 square degrees (70th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 12.4 h, declination −18° |
| Visible from | latitudes 65° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | May (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Gienah |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 18 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 4 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Crater, Hydra, Virgo |
How to find Corvus
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in May evenings: at about 9 pm Corvus stands highest, around 32° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 73° above the horizon. The months before and after (April and June) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Corvus borders Crater, Hydra and Virgo.
Stars of Corvus
Corvus has 18 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gienah | γ Corvi | 2.59 | B8IIIpHgMn | 154 ly |
| Kraz | β Corvi | 2.65 | G5II | 163 ly |
| Algorab | δ Corvi | 2.95 | B9.5V | 86 ly |
| — | ε Corvi | 3.0 | K2.5IIIaBa0.2: | — |
| Alchiba | α Corvi | 4.02 | F2III-IV | 49 ly |
| — | η Corvi | 4.31 | F2III-IV | — |
Printable Corvus map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Corvus figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Corvus is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the Almagest (2nd century AD). Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Corvus
What is the brightest star in Corvus?
Gienah, at magnitude 2.59, about 154 light-years away.
When can you see Corvus?
Corvus is best seen in the evening in May. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 65° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Corvus?
18 stars in Corvus are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 4 of them have official IAU names.
What does Corvus mean?
Corvus means “the Crow” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Crv and the genitive, used in star names such as γ Corvi, is Corvi.
