Sunday,  March 10, 2013 • Vol. 14--No. 234 • 25 of 36 •  Other Editions

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also lead to a better viewing experience.
• This cluster of stars - known as Berenice's Hair - is named for Queen Berenice II of Egypt, wife of Ptolemy III. In 243 B.C., Ptolemy went to war. His newlywed bride, Berenice, swore to the goddess Aphrodite to sacrifice her long, blonde hair, of which she was extremely proud, if her husband returned safely. He did, and she had her hair cut and placed it in the goddess' temple. The next morning, the hair had disappeared. To appease the furious king and queen, and save the temple priests, the court astronomer is said to have indicated a fuzzy patch of stars in the heavens - and said that the gods were so pleased with Berenice's offering that they had placed her hair in the heavens, for all to see.

Queen Berenices II of Egypt via Wikimedia Commons

• Today, as in ancient times, the cluster known as Berenice's Hair is one of the most beautiful sights in the heavens.
• Coma Cluster: Galaxies in Coma Berenices


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