Libra (constellation) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Libra

Constellation
List of stars in Libra
Abbreviation	Lib
Genitive	Librae
Right ascension	15
Declination	−15
Area	538 sq. deg. (29th)
Main stars	4, 6
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	46
Stars with planets	3
Stars brighter than 3.00m	2
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)	2
Brightest star	Zubeneschamali (β Lib) (2.6m)
Messier objects	0
Meteor showers	May Librids
Bordering constellations	Serpens Caput Virgo Hydra Centaurus (corner) Lupus Scorpius Ophiuchus
Visible at latitudes between +65° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of June.

Libra (pronounced /ˈliːbrə/, Latin: weighing scale, symbol , Unicode ♎) is a constellation of the zodiac. It lies between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. It once represented the claws of Scorpius.

Some features

The brightest stars in Libra form a rectangle:

• α Librae, Zubenelgenubi ("southern claw"), a visual binary;
• β Librae, Zubeneschamali ("northern claw");
• γ Librae, Zubenelakrab ("scorpion's claw");
• σ Librae, Brachium an eclipsing variable.

α and β Librae are the scales' balance beam, and γ and σ are the weighing pans.

σ Librae was formerly known as γ Scorpii even though it is well inside the boundaries of Libra. It was not renamed as σ Librae until 1851 (by Benjamin A. Gould).

Images for kids

• 

  Libra as depicted in Urania's Mirror, a set of constellation cards published in London c.1825

• 

  NGC 5897

• 

  NGC 5885

See also

In Spanish: Libra (constelación) para niños