X-Nico

3 unusual facts about Cor Caroli


Cor Caroli

The name Cor Caroli means "Charles' Heart", and was named in the 17th century to honour the murdered King Charles I of England.

The name was coined in 1660 by Sir Charles Scarborough, physician to Charles II, who claimed the star seemed to shine exceptionally brightly on the night of Charles II's return to England.

There has been some uncertainty whether it was named in honour of King Charles I of England, who was executed in 1649 during the English Civil War, or to his son, Charles II, who restored the English monarchy to the throne in 1660.


Star designation

The first such case (discounting characters from Greek mythology) was Cor Caroli (α CVn), named in the 17th century for Charles I of England.


see also