Interesting Facts About the Constellation Leo

Leo is the fifth of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. It is depicted as a crouching lion facing toward the west, with a sickle of stars marking the typical head and mane of the animal. The name Leo is a Latin word meaning the lion. On the equatorial coordinate system, a popular method for mapping celestial objects, the constellation is located at RA: 11h and Declination: 15 degrees.

Interesting Facts About the Constellation Leo

Constellation Leo lies between constellations Virgo and Cancer. It is bordered by other constellations, such as Ursa Major, Leo Minor, Lynx (corner), Cancer, Hydra, Sextans, Crater, Virgo and Coma Berenices. It is the 12 largest constellation, spread over an area of 946.964 square degrees.

Constellation Leo has been recognized as a lion in various civilizations. According to Greek mythology, it is the Nemean lion, who was killed and placed in the sky by Hercules. In Roman literature, poet Ovid refers to Leo as Herculeus Leo and Violentus Leo, while Manilus, another renowned Roman poet, refers to it as Jovis et Junonis Sidus, meaning the star of Jupiter and Juno. According to Egyptian mythology, the Sun arose near the star Denebola in Leo, when the world was created. The Persians referred to Leo as Ser while the Indians called it Sher. In Babylonia it was known as Aru and the Jewish called it Arye.

The brightest star of the constellation is the Regulus or alpha Leonis. In history, this star has been referred to as King, Ruler or Hero. While most of the bright stars have been named in Arabic, Regulus proves to be an exception. The Latin name Regulus was granted to the star by Copernicus, the great Polish scientist. Seventy five times bigger than the sun, it is located at a distance of 83 light years from the earth.

Other stars observed in Leo are Denebola, Algieba, Zosma, Chertan, Al Minliar al Asad, Alterf and Subra. The nearest star to the Earth is Wolf359. It is located at a distance of 7.7 lights years. The brightest star in the night sky at the infrared N-band is the carbon star CW Leo. The sickle representing the head and mane of the lion is formed by Regulus, Eta Leonis, Gama Leonis, Ras Elased Borealis, Ras Elased Australis and Adhafera.

Leo also contains some bright galaxies, namely Messier 96, Messier 95, Messier 66 and Messier 65. Leo Ring is a cloud of hydrogen and helium left over from the Big Bang, which is found in this constellation. Leonids, a meteor shower associated with Temple -Tuttle comet, originates from this constellation and hence the name Leonids. In astrology, the sun sign Leo is associated with the Leo constellation. The sun enters the constellation between July 23rd and August 23rd.

Most often seen in the evenings, this constellation can be viewed during spring season in the northern hemisphere and during autumn in the southern hemisphere. Its brightest star, Regulus is easily visible in the sky despite the polluted atmosphere. The bright stars in the constellation makes it easier to locate this constellation.

These were some interesting facts about the constellation Leo. So the next time you take an evening walk in spring, don't forget to take a note of this beautiful constellation.