Alphecca

/ælˈfɛkə/ noun

Definition

The brightest star in the constellation Corona Borealis, a white giant star and the crown jewel of the Northern Crown.

Etymology

From Arabic al-fakka, meaning 'the breaking one' or from al-faqqa 'the empty space,' referring to the break or gap in the crown shape of the constellation. The Arabic prefix al- means 'the.'

Kelly Says

Alphecca marks the brightest point of the Northern Crown constellation, and medieval astrologers imagined it as a literal crown in the sky—a pattern where humans everywhere see crowns, diadems, and royal objects in star patterns, suggesting our brains naturally project status and power onto the cosmos.

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