Libra (constellation)

zodiac constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere

Libra (pronounced /ˈliːbrə/, Latin: weighing scale, symbol , Unicode ) is a constellation of the zodiac.

Libra
Constellation
Libra
AbbreviationLib
GenitiveLibrae
Right ascension15
Declination−15
Area538 sq. deg. (29th)
Main stars4, 6
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
46
Stars with planets3
Stars brighter than 3.00m2
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)2
Brightest starZubeneschamali (β Lib) (2.6m)
Messier objects0
Meteor showersMay Librids
Bordering
constellations
Serpens Caput
Virgo
Hydra
Centaurus (corner)
Lupus
Scorpius
Ophiuchus
Visible at latitudes between +65° and −90°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of June.

It lies between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. It once represented the claws of Scorpius.

Some features

change

The brightest stars in Libra form a rectangle:

α and β Librae are the scales' balance beam, and γ and σ are the weighing pans.

σ Librae was formerly known as γ Scorpii even though it is well inside the boundaries of Libra. It was not renamed as σ Librae until 1851 (by Benjamin A. Gould).