A small and very faint constellation (formally Coma Berenices) located between Cor Caroli of the Hunting Dogs and the outstretched arm of Virgo. Furthest constellation from the Milky Way.

Named after the shorn locks of an Egyptian queen Berenice who, in the 3rd century BC, sacrificed her hair to Venus in thanks for a military victory of her husband. The hair was stolen from the temple but the priests consoled her by telling her that the hair was stolen by Zeus, who installed the glorious mane in the sky.

Generally regarded as the silliest constellation name.

Most visible April through August.

Ber`e*ni"ce's Hair` (?). [See Berenice's, Locks, in Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction.] (Astron.)

See Coma Berenices, under Coma.

 

© Webster 1913