6 Facts About the Libra Constellation
Libra is a small constellation in the Southern Hemisphere. It is located between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. The name “Libra” is Latin for “balance” or “scales,” and the constellation is often depicted as a set of scales. It is one of the twelve zodiac constellations, which means that it is used in astrology to predict people’s personalities and futures.
History and Mythology
The Libra constellation has been known since ancient times. It is mentioned by the Roman poet Ovid in his work “Metamorphoses,” which was written in the first century AD. In the mythology associated with the constellation, the scales represent the scales that the Greek goddess Themis used to weigh the fates of people.
Facts
- Libra is a relatively small constellation, with an area of just 538 square degrees. It is the 29th largest constellation in the sky.
- It is located in the third quadrant of the Southern Hemisphere, meaning that it is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere during the months of September and October.
- Libra contains no bright stars, and it is not particularly noticeable in the night sky. The brightest star in the constellation is Zubenelgenubi, which has a magnitude of 2.75.
- There are no Messier objects in Libra, but the constellation does contain several interesting deep sky objects. These include the globular cluster NGC 5897 and the planetary nebula NGC 5882.
- There are no meteor showers associated with the Libra constellation.
- The astrological sign of Libra is associated with the element of air and is represented by the symbol of the scales. People born under the sign of Libra are said to be balanced, fair, and harmonious.
Notable Features
- The Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253) is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Cetus, which is just to the south of Libra. It is one of the brightest galaxies in the sky and is visible to the naked eye on a clear night.
- The Sombrero Galaxy (M104) is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo, which is just to the west of Libra. It is one of the most famous galaxies in the sky and is visible through a telescope.
- The constellation Virgo contains the Virgo Cluster, a group of over 2,000 galaxies located approximately 50 million light-years from Earth. This cluster is one of the largest structures in the known universe.
While the Libra constellation may not be one of the most well-known or noticeable constellations in the sky, it has a rich history and mythology. It is associated with the astrological sign of Libra, which is known for its balanced and harmonious nature. The constellation contains several interesting deep sky objects, including globular clusters and planetary nebulae. While it may not be home to any particularly bright stars or meteor showers, it is still worth taking a look at on a clear night.