The Great Diamond, also called the Diamond of Virgo, is an asterism that can be seen during spring evenings in the Northern Hemisphere. It is composed of the following stars:
Cor Caroli (α CVn), in Canes Venatici Denebola (β Leo), the tail of Leo Spica (α Vir), the wheat of Virgo Arcturus (α Boo), the brightest star in Boötes The Great Diamond is larger than the Big Dipper. The three southernmost stars are sometimes regarded as being their own asterism, the Spring Triangle. Lying within the Great Diamond is the set of stars traditionally assigned to Coma Berenices. Many nearby galaxies, including galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, are within this asterism, and some of these galaxies can easily be observed with amateur telescopes.
See also Winter Triangle Summer Triangle Winter Hexagon
External links Four-Star Sight: The Celestial Diamond (SPACE.com) 19 May 2006 06:16 am ET MAP (Space.com)
The Great Diamond on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images Virgo's diamond
References