Bootes and Corona borealis constellations
author: A.Fujii/David Malin Images/Novapix
reference: a-cst08-00007
Image Size 300 DPI: 40 * 51 cm
Boötes (the Herdsman) is an ancient constellation of a figure driving a bear (Ursa major) around the sky, perhaps holding the tethers of the hunting dogs (Canes Venatici) in the adjoining constellation. The brightest star here is Arcturus, the brightest in the northern sky; its name means 'bearkeeper' in ancient Greek. Other star names illuminate the striding figure — Izar (the second brightest star) means the belt or girdle, and Alkaurops (the easternmost star) is the Greek for staff or crook. The constellation covers 907 square degrees of sky and is the 19th largest. Best seen in the early evening in June.