Great Diamond

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.