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.

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)

 Virgo's diamond

Asterisms (astronomy)
Boötes
Canes Venatici
Coma Berenices
Leo (constellation)
Virgo (constellation)

References