The Leo constellation
Leo · Catalogue stars: 32
Why this name?
The Greeks saw here the Nemean lion, whose skin no weapon could pierce. Defeating it was the first of Heracles’ twelve labours.
A little history
The celestial lion is much older than the surviving Greek catalogues. Leo belongs to the zodiac and is listed among Ptolemy’s constellations.
Data
- IAU code
- Leo
- Catalogue stars
- 32
- Messier objects
- 5
- Brightest star
- Regulus · 1.4ᵐ
Messier objects
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 49583 · 3.5ᵐ · A0Ib
- HIP 51624 · 3.8ᵐ · B1Ib SB
- HIP 55642 · 4.0ᵐ · F2IV SB
- HIP 55434 · 4.0ᵐ · B9.5Vs
- HIP 53417 · 4.3ᵐ · A1
- HIP 56647 · 4.3ᵐ · G9III
- HIP 49637 · 4.4ᵐ · K4III
- HIP 53954 · 4.4ᵐ · A1m
- HIP 55084 · 4.5ᵐ · A7IVn
- HIP 46146 · 4.5ᵐ · K2III
- HIP 57565 · 4.5ᵐ · A comp SB
- HIP 54951 · 4.6ᵐ · M3III
- HIP 54182 · 4.6ᵐ · F2III-IVvar
- HIP 49029 · 4.7ᵐ · M2III
- HIP 53907 · 4.7ᵐ · K5III
- HIP 56127 · 4.8ᵐ · K4III
- HIP 50564 · 4.8ᵐ · F6IV
- HIP 53807 · 4.8ᵐ · K1III
- HIP 55945 · 5.0ᵐ · G8II-III
- HIP 53824 · 5.0ᵐ · A5III
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 41° | 67° |
| +55° | 46° | 70° |
| +45° | 56° | 74° |
| +30° | 71° | 77° |
| 0° | 79° | 79° |
| −35° | 44° | 76° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 02:55 |
| February | 00:47 |
| March | 23:02 |
| April | 21:09 |
| May | 19:14 |
| June | 17:08 |
| July | 15:04 |
| August | 13:03 |
| September | 11:10 |
| October | 09:21 |
| November | 07:21 |
| December | 05:12 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Leo?
Regulus — 1.4ᵐ.