The Libra constellation
Lib · Catalogue stars: 16
Why this name?
Libra depicts weighing scales, a symbol of balance. Greco-Roman tradition also associated them with justice.
A little history
In Greek tradition, these stars were called the claws of Scorpius, although the scales were already known in Mesopotamia. Traces of the older name survive in the Arabic names of Libra’s bright stars.
Data
- IAU code
- Lib
- Catalogue stars
- 16
- Messier objects
- 0
- Brightest star
- Zubeneschamali · 2.6ᵐ
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 76470 · 3.6ᵐ · K3III
- HIP 76600 · 3.7ᵐ · B2.5V
- HIP 77853 · 4.1ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 73165 · 4.5ᵐ · F0V
- HIP 74392 · 4.5ᵐ · Asp...
- HIP 76219 · 4.6ᵐ · K1IV
- HIP 76880 · 4.8ᵐ · K5III
- HIP 73473 · 4.9ᵐ · B9.5V
- HIP 75379 · 4.9ᵐ · F5IV
- HIP 72631 · 4.9ᵐ · G8...
- HIP 78207 · 5.0ᵐ · B8Ia/Iab
- HIP 76742 · 5.0ᵐ · K3III
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 14° | 124° |
| +55° | 19° | 119° |
| +45° | 29° | 113° |
| +30° | 44° | 109° |
| 0° | 74° | 106° |
| −35° | 71° | 110° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 07:38 |
| February | 05:31 |
| March | 03:45 |
| April | 01:52 |
| May | 23:58 |
| June | 21:52 |
| July | 19:48 |
| August | 17:47 |
| September | 15:54 |
| October | 14:05 |
| November | 12:04 |
| December | 09:56 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Libra?
Zubeneschamali — 2.6ᵐ.