the southern crown · pronounced koh-ROH-nuh aw-STRAY-lis. Corona Australis is a compact southern constellation whose curved chain of modest stars forms a recognizable crown below Sagittarius. The Milky Way runs through the field, but the constellation’s principal interest lies in the nearby Corona Australis Molecular Cloud, one of the closest active star-forming regions to Earth. Its reflection nebulae NGC 6726 and NGC 6727 surround young stars, while the dark cloud Barnard 86 and globular cluster NGC 6541 broaden the observing programme. The crown is ancient: Ptolemy catalogued it among his 48 constellations, although artists variously drew it as a wreath or a group of rays. It never rises high for most northern observers, making a transparent southern horizon essential. From the Southern Hemisphere it is best traced during winter evenings, using Sagittarius’s Teapot as the brighter starting point. Corona Australis is an official IAU sky region, distinct from Corona Borealis and from culturally separate crown-like star patterns.
About Corona Austrina
Corona Austrina is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Its standard three-letter abbreviation is CrA, and astronomers use the genitive form Coronae Austrini when naming stars associated with it. The constellation's reference position lies around right ascension -5.2 hours and declination -40 degrees.
Its location places it in the southern sky. For a typical mid-latitude observer, this part of the celestial sphere is especially well placed during summer evenings. Exact visibility depends on latitude, local horizon, date and time.
History and mythology of Corona Austrina
Historical origin
Its reflection nebulae NGC 6726 and NGC 6727 surround young stars, while the dark cloud Barnard 86 and globular cluster NGC 6541 broaden the observing programme. The crown is ancient: Ptolemy catalogued it among his 48 constellations, although artists variously drew it as a wreath or a group of rays.
The modern constellation
Corona Australis became one of the 88 official constellations standardized by the International Astronomical Union. Its boundary is a coordinate-defined sky region, while the familiar line figure joins only selected stars and has no physical depth.
Reading the cultural record
Names and stories attached to this part of the sky changed across languages, periods and communities. Cultural parallels should be identified from specialist sources rather than presented as interchangeable versions of Corona Australis.
How to find Corona Austrina
- Use a location-aware chart and observe when Corona Australis reaches its highest evening altitude; check that the full constellation rises from your latitude.
- Locate Alfecca Meridiana, magnitude 4.1, then compare its direction with a brighter neighboring constellation rather than relying on line art alone.
- Trace the main pattern toward Beta Coronae Australis; binoculars reveal the fainter connecting stars while preserving a wide field.
- Move to NGC 6726/6727 with a low-power eyepiece or binoculars, then increase magnification only if its surface brightness permits.
Bright stars in Corona Austrina
Alfecca Meridiana
Notable star- Magnitude
- 4.1
- Distance
- 125 ly
The crown’s brightest star, an A-type star whose traditional name means “southern Alfecca.”
Beta Coronae Australis
Notable star- Magnitude
- 4.1
- Distance
- about 500 ly
A luminous orange giant near Alpha in the crown’s central arc.
Gamma Coronae Australis
Notable star- Magnitude
- 4.2 combined
- Distance
- about 58 ly
A close binary of near-twin F-type stars, resolvable with a suitable telescope.
Deep-sky objects in Corona Austrina
NGC 6726/6727
Blue reflection nebulosity around young stars in the Corona Australis Molecular Cloud.
NGC 6541
A bright, concentrated globular cluster near the constellation’s western edge.
R Coronae Australis complex
A nearby nursery containing young variable stars, dust and Herbig–Haro objects.
Interesting facts about Corona Austrina
- Corona Australis’s traditional name refers to southern crown, while its official IAU boundary defines a precise region of the sky.
- Alfecca Meridiana, at magnitude 4.1, is a key star in Corona Australis. The crown’s brightest star, an A-type star whose traditional name means “southern Alfecca.”
- NGC 6726/6727 is a notable reflection nebulae in Corona Australis. Blue reflection nebulosity around young stars in the Corona Australis Molecular Cloud.
- NGC 6541, a globular cluster, is another observing target within the constellation.
- Its reflection nebulae NGC 6726 and NGC 6727 surround young stars, while the dark cloud Barnard 86 and globular cluster NGC 6541 broaden the observing programme.