I’m using the following AAVSO chart for variable star R CrB to check the NELM (naked-eye limiting magnitude) from my suburban backyard.

I can normally on average, see to magnitude 4.2, but on the morning of (April 17th 2026 @ 4:36 AM EDT) I could see the mag. 4.6 star with direct vision, fairly easy. It is possible with “maybe a bit of imagination” to see the mag. 5.0 star…winking in-and-out with averted vision.

To perform this test accurately, the constellation needs to be a>

When I moved into my current house more than 40 years ago, I could see to magnitude 5.5 most any night at the zenith, but no more. Most of this is due to increased light pollution, as my backyard skies are never really dark anymore, but mostly gray. And adding to the problem, my eyes and night vision are not as good as four decades ago either.

Can you see six stars…seven…what about eight?

I can see six stars most any time if the constellation is overhead. I’m wondering if it will be possible for me to see seven stars on a cold and transparent winter night, which would be seeing to magnitude 5.

I’ve never had or wanted a sky meter, as the NELM has served me well for more than 35 years…no need to change now.

For identification of the primary eight stars and to determine the magnitudes…the (R CrB AAVSO chart) works best with the stars outlined.

Corona Borealis is a beautiful constellation, but seemingly “unknown” by most amateurs these days. There are only two faint deep-sky objects listed in the constellation: Galaxies NGC 5958 and NGC 5961.

From the “Observing Handbook and Catalog of Deep-Sky Objects” by Luginbuhl and Skiff.

NGC 5958: “This object is visible at 75x in 15 cm ….”

NGC 5961: “Though it is a small, moderately faint object for 30 cm, this galaxy has a high surface brightness…”

I’m using my cellphone camera to check T CrB on a regular basis since March 2025. The following photos are dated and with the time. I can easily see six (6) stars in the “Northen Crown.”

Sunday May 3rd @ 4:33 AM (97% illuminated moon)

Friday April 24th 2026 @ 2:30 AM

April 22nd 2026 @ 10:28 PM:

April 22nd 2026 @ 10:29 PM: I added an additional cellphone photo, less than one minute after the above photo. Note the object in the following to the right and above the constellation.

April 21st 2026 @ 10:36 PM (Corona Borealis is now an early evening constellation)

The following cellphone photo was from the morning of April 20th 2026) at 5:24 AM. Humidity 73%

The following cellphone photo was from the morning of (April 15th 2026) at 5:00 AM.

My first cellphone photo as following from May 1st 2025. I’ve made many others since, but no need to keep since recurrant nova star T continues to sleep.