Abbreviation: Â Lib
English Name: Â The Scales
Genitive:Â Zubenelgenubi or Zuben Elgenubi
Hemisphere:Â Southern Hemisphere
Location:Â Between the constellations of Scorpius and Virgo.
Visible between latitudes: Â +65 and -90 degrees
Best season: Summer
Seen in three seasons:Â Spring, Summer and Autumn
Best seen in:Â June
Seen between:Â May and July
Right Ascension (RA):Â 15 hour
Declination (DEC):Â -15 degrees
Area (square degrees): Â 538 (29th)
Libra (The Scales)
- Libra is easy to find by leading a line westward; the bright star of Antares (orange star) in the constellation of Scorpius across the sky.
- A constellation of the zodiac, Libra lies just south of the celestial equator and ecliptic across, just below the brightest star, Zubenelgenubi, between Scorpion and Virgo.
- Zubenelgenubi (The Southern Claw or Alpha Librae) is a wide double star, can be seen its separated by binoculars or even good eyesight.
Messier Objects
- No Messier objects in Libra.
Features of Interest
- NGC 5897 – only one bright Globular Cluster, but one of the less concentrated clusters that are known – must be a clear night and dark skies to be able seeing with a pair of binocular 10×50.
Named Stars
- Zubenelgenubi (Alpha 2 Lib)
- Zubenelschemali (Beta Lib)
- Zubenelakrab (Gamma Lib)
- Zubenelakribi (Delta Lib)
- Brachium (Sigma Lib)
Others
- Photo of the constellation;Â Libra, as it appears to the naked eye. (Lines have been added for clarity.)
- Sky Chart  –  Libra
- List of stars in Libra.
Back to The 88 Constellations Lists page.