Leo the lion is among the best of the 13 constellations of the zodiac to see. You can begin by discovering the brilliant star Regulus. After which hint out a particular sample of stars formed like a backwards query mark, referred to as the Sickle.
From a Northern Hemisphere perspective, the Lion is a fair-weather good friend, springing into the early night sky across the March equinox.
In actual fact, April and Could are excellent months for figuring out Leo the Lion. That’s as a result of this constellation turns into seen as quickly as darkness falls and stays out till the wee hours of the morning. Bear in mind, you’re in search of a backwards query mark sample. Additionally, Leo’s brightest star, Regulus, is a glowing blue-white great thing about a star, positioned on the backside of the backwards query mark. And Regulus depicts the Lion’s coronary heart.
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The constellation Leo the Lion
Though the Sickle is the obvious sample in Leo, there’s one other distinctive form in Leo. That’s the triangle of stars in jap Leo representing the Lion’s hindquarters and tail. The identify of the brightest star of that triangle is Denebola, which stems from an Arabic time period which means the Lion’s Tail.
Like all stars, Leo’s stars return to the identical place within the sky some 4 minutes earlier each day or two hours earlier month-to-month. In early April, the constellation Leo reaches its excessive level for the night time round 10 p.m. native time (11 p.m. native daylight saving time), and begins to sink beneath the western horizon round 4 a.m. native time (5 a.m. native daylight-saving time). By round Could 1, Leo reaches its excessive level for the night time round 8 p.m. native time (9 p.m. native daylight saving time). Additionally, in early Could, the mighty Lion begins to set within the west round 2 a.m. native time (3 a.m. daylight saving time). By June, you’ll discover Leo descending within the west within the night.
Although Leo drifts progressively westward within the early night sky because the months go by, you’ll be able to see the Lion within the night until July. However by late July or early August, the Lion begins to fade into the sundown. After which, from about August 10 to September 16, the sun passes in entrance of Leo. The constellation returns to the jap predawn sky in late September or October.
Discover Leo by star-hopping from the Massive Dipper
Should you’re conversant in the Massive Dipper star sample – or asterism – you’ll be able to star-hop to Leo the Lion each time. After the March equinox, the Massive Dipper stands just about on its deal with within the northeastern sky at dusk. So at dusk in April, search for the Massive Dipper excessive within the northeast sky. And at dusk in Could, search for the just about upside-down Massive Dipper excessive within the north, above Polaris, the North Star. Then, establish the 2 pointer stars of the Massive Dipper. These are the 2 outer stars within the Massive Dipper’s bowl. Now, draw an imaginary line southward towards the celebs in Leo.
What are you able to see with a telescope within the Lion?
Take a look at the chart beneath to get a way of the telescopic riches that lie inside the boundaries of this constellation.
The star Algieba or γ Leonis is a double star, seen in a small telescope when the environment is regular. If the celebs are twinkling wildly, that signifies a turbulent – not regular – environment. Then again, if the celebs are twinkling little or no or under no circumstances, strive your luck at splitting Algieba – which appears like a single star to the attention – into its two colourful element stars with the telescope. By the best way, it’s possible you’ll discover one star seems orangish and the opposite one seems greenish-yellow.
Additionally, a close-knit pair of galaxies in Leo present an inviting goal for many telescopes. They’re M65 and M66. What’s extra, with a low-powered telescope, you may have the ability to match each M65 and M66 right into a single subject of view.
Subsequent, strive your luck with a galaxy trio. First, search for M95 and M96. Lastly, search for NGC 3628. These three galaxies are referred to as the Leo Triplet galaxy group.
The constellation in historical past and fable
By the best way, Leo the Lion is related to the sun and has been for epochs. The traditional Egyptians held Leo within the highest esteem. That’s as a result of the sun shone in entrance of Leo on the time of the annual flooding of the Nile River, the lifeblood of this agricultural nation.
So possibly the varied lion-headed fountains designed by Greek and Roman architects symbolize the life-giving waters being launched by the sun’s presence in Leo.
Additionally, in astrology, the sun guidelines Leo, one of many three fire signs of the Zodiac.
In actual fact, many tales function Leo the Lion. Maybe the 2 better-known tales function Heracles’ (often known as Hercules) first labor with the infamous Nemean Lion, and the Roman writer Ovid’s rendering of the tragic love affair of Pyramus and Thisbe.
Backside line: Leo the Lion – one of many zodiacal constellations – is a distinguished fixture within the night sky from April by means of June. It’s fairly simple to identify.
The constellations of the zodiac
Meet Taurus the Bull in the evening sky
Meet Gemini the Twins, home to 2 bright stars
Cancer the Crab and its Beehive Cluster
Leo the Lion and its backward question mark
Virgo the Maiden in northern spring skies
Meet Libra the Scales, a zodiacal constellation
Scorpius the Scorpion is a summertime delight
Sagittarius the Archer and its famous Teapot
Capricornus the Sea-goat has an arrowhead shape
Meet Aquarius the Water Bearer and its stars
Meet Pisces the Fish, 1st constellation of the zodiac
Say hello to Aries the Ram
Born under the sign of Ophiuchus?
