Coma Berenices: Difference between revisions

Coma Berenices is a traditional asterism that has since been defined as one of the 88 modern constellations. It is located near Arcturus, and the constellation Leo to which it formerly belonged, and contains the North Galactic Pole. Its name means "Berenice's Hair" (in Greek, via Latin), and refers to the legend of Queen Berenice II of Egypt, who sacrificed her long hair.

Although Coma Berenices is not a large constellation, it contains eight Messier objects. The constellation is rich ingalaxies, containing the northern part of the Virgo cluster. There are also several globular clusters to be seen. Coma Berenices contains the northern portion of the Virgo cluster (also known as the Coma-Virgo cluster), which is around 60 million light years away.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_Berenices Coa Berenices]]</ref>