Libra is the name of the zodiacal constellation in the southern hemisphere of the night sky. The Latin name is “libra”. The ancient Sumerians called the constellation Zib-Ba An-Na, which means “balance of Heaven.” The constellation Libra is located between the constellations Scorpio and Virgo. By the way, in Babylonian astronomy its symbol was represented in the form of scorpion claws. However, there was an error in the translation of the Arabic word "zubana" and the Akkadian word "zibanitu", both of which can mean either "libra" or "scorpio". It has the shape of a scorpion hanging upside down, and was understood under the name "Scorpio's claw" until the 1st century BC, having never been previously identified as the constellation Libra.

In addition, it has been suggested that this Zodiac symbol seems to hint that when the Sun sets in this part of the ecliptic, the autumnal equinox occurs. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the constellation Libra, also known as the “Balance of Truth” and the “Last Judgment,” goes back to Egyptian rituals of the afterlife, in which they are used to weigh the souls of the dead. In addition, they are associated with the goddess Maat, as the main ancient Egyptian deity who was associated with this constellation. She was the daughter of Ra and patronized truth, justice and universal harmony.

In Greek mythology, Libra is a constellation representing Pluto's Golden Chariot drawn by four black horses. One day, visiting the afterlife on his chariot, Pluto saw Persephone, the daughter of the god Zeus and Demeter, the goddess of fertility. The story of Pluto's abduction of Persephone is a recognizable Greek myth that represents vegetation awakening in the spring, sprouting shoots, and sinking into the ground after the harvest.

Ancient Roman legends attribute the appearance of the constellation Libra to Emperor Augustus, who was famous for his justice. In gratitude to the great figure, his subjects immortalized his name, naming this symbol of the Zodiac in memory of the justice of Augustus.

Today the symbol is depicted as scales held in the hands of Themis, the Greek goddess of justice, thereby being associated with the neighboring constellation Virgo.

This is the only zodiac symbol that does not represent wildlife. The constellation Libra covers an area of ​​538 square degrees and contains three stars with known planets. It is visible at latitudes between +65° and -90°, and is best viewed at 9 pm during June. In sidereal astrology, the Sun passes through Libra between October 16 and November 15, and in tropical astrology, it is considered to be in this sign between September 23 and October 23.

The constellation Libra, the photo of which you see above, does not have any bright galaxies, but there is one that may be of interest to observers. With a large telescope, the magnitude 11.7 spiral galaxy NGC 5885, located near Beta Libra, can be seen. It is also home to Gliese 581C, the first exoplanet to be found orbiting its parent star, the red Lilliputian Gliese 581, within the star's habitable zone. This terrestrial planet was found in 2007. Another planet orbiting the same star, Gliese 581e, is the lowest-mass exoplanet found orbiting a normal star.

The constellation Libra has been known to mankind since ancient times. Therefore, it is very surprising that it is the only constellation of the Zodiac that has not received the name of some living creature.

As you understand, this “metrological instrument” is located between the zodiacs called Scorpio and Virgo. Not taking into account the fact that among the 83 stars of this constellation there is not a single star of the first or even second magnitude, it can be quite easily found in the sky. It is undoubtedly one of the most prominent objects in the night sky.

The brightest stars in Libra have a magnitude of 4. To find a constellation in the sky, you need to look closely and spot the rhomboid in the sky that is formed by its four brightest stars. Besides the two Zodiacs, Libra's closest neighbors are Ophiuchus, Snake and Wolf. You can easily see the constellation between April and May. As for the Sun, it is in Libra from the end of October (October 31) to the twentieth of November (November 22). In the south and center of Russia, this constellation can be seen in full.

The history of the most “balanced” constellation

It is worth saying that many thousands of years ago, the stars of this object belonged to a completely different constellation, namely Scorpio. But Libra also formed as an independent constellation quite a long time ago - in the second century BC. However, mentions of him can be found a century earlier in the poems of Arat of Soli. But it must be said that already in the first century AD, the well-known Virgil put forward a proposal that in place of Libra, another constellation could be organized, while slightly shortening the constellation Scorpio. The new constellation was supposed to be dedicated to Emperor Augustus.

When Libra formed into an independent constellation, the name “Claws” was very often used for it. Thus, they tried to connect him with Scorpio. At this time, the stars of this group were sometimes represented as a kind of asterism, at other times - as a constellation. For example, in the work of Ptolemy, it is indicated precisely as a constellation, although for now as the constellation “Claws”. It is amazing that during the same period of time “Claws”, like the Zodiac, had the name Libra. And yet, in the first century BC, today's name became generally accepted. As already mentioned, this zodiac constellation is the only inanimate object in the sky, probably precisely because its formation was so late.

Multiple system of the constellation under study

Since we're talking about the claws of the constellation, it's time to move on to the most prominent stars of Libra. Let's start the review with the first star of Libra, its alpha, which also bears the Arabic name Zuben Elgenubi. The translation, as you probably already understood, means “southern claw.” The Latin version of the name of the star also contains the word southern, but already a bowl, and sounds like Kiffa Australis.

Alpha Libra ranks second in brightness in the constellation. Since this star is a multiple, even with small binoculars everyone can notice that the main star (a hot blue star with a magnitude of 2.75m) has acquired a satellite - a yellowish star with a magnitude of 5.15m. The two stars are located at a considerable distance from each other (as much as 5 minutes of arc), therefore, despite their similar proper movements, their physical connection still raises some doubts among astronomers.

Expressing the distance between the two components of the system in astronomical units, it will be as much as 5.5 thousand. Thus, the period of revolution of stars relative to each other is two hundred thousand years. Interestingly, the brighter component of the system is itself also a double star, but the distance between them is so small that it cannot be seen by the eye. It is worth adding that Alpha Libra is very close to the celestial ecliptic, so it is possible to observe occultations of the star by planets or the Moon. In 2052, we will be able to see the planetary occultation of the star Zuben Elgenubi by the planet Mercury.

The second “foot” of Scorpio in the constellation in question

The historical northern claw of Scorpio in this constellation is Beta Libra. This name is translated into Arabic as Zuben el Shemali. But the star also has the Latin name Kiffa Borealis, which means “northern bowl” and is closer in meaning to the name of the constellation.

Beta Libra is a blue-white hot star. It is located on the main sequence of stellar evolution, its spectral class is B8. The surface temperature of Beta Libra is approximately 12 thousand Kelvin. When observed with the naked eye, this star is the only one in the sky that may appear to us as a green star.

Due to the fact that its temperature is so high and its spectrum is unusually simple, this celestial body is simply an ideal tool for exploring, located between the Sun and beta Libra.

Astronomers have noted some variability in this star. Therefore, there is a possibility that beta Libra has some currently invisible satellite, which eclipses the main star from time to time. Ancient "stargazers" such as Ptolemy wrote in their writings that Beta Libra was much brighter than its neighbor. How true this information is, and why the star then lost its former brightness, remains a mystery today.

It turns out that there are three claws in the constellation Libra

Amazingly, thanks to our ancestors, Libra has another claw, and again it belongs to Scorpio. Gamma Libra or otherwise Zuben el Akrab is translated from Arabic as “scorpion claw.” This star represents the second multiple system in the constellation Libra.

Gamma Libra appears to be a typical orange giant, which is classified as spectral class K0III. This star has an effective surface temperature of 4822 Kelvin. The diameter of the star is 14 solar. Its apparent magnitude is 3.93m and it shines 71 times more powerful than the Sun.

The metallicity of the Libra gamma is about half that of the Sun. At the same time, the mass of the star is equal to 2.5 solar masses. According to various estimates, the age of the star is about four billion years. A possible close companion was discovered in this system, less than 0.1 arcsecond from the main star. This companion has a magnitude of 4.2m and is classified as G8III in its spectrum. It is likely that it itself is also a double star.

Delta Libra - the eclipsing star of the constellation

An interesting object in the constellation Libra is its Delta. Another name for this luminary is Zuben Elakribi. This name suggests that, like many other components of Libra, it previously belonged to the neighboring constellation Scorpio. Delta Libra is also a multiple system. In addition, she is a bright representative of eclipsing variable stars, which belong to the Algol type.

Leafing through the catalog of variable stars, you can see that the primary component of this system is a white hot star, classified according to its spectrum as class A0. Its secondary component is an orange subgiant. Between the centers of the two stars of this system there is a distance of almost 9 million kilometers, while the orbital period is about 2.5 days.

In 2001, information was presented that it was likely that a third component had appeared in the binary system - some kind of long-period companion. It was assumed that it is a representative of the G9 spectral class and has a mass comparable to the Sun. The orbital period of the third component was approximately 2.76 years. This information was fully confirmed 5 years later - in 2006. Indeed, such a component is located from two stars at a distance of 4 astronomical units.

Pulsating Star of Libra

There is another interesting component in the constellation - sigma Libra. Historically, it bore various names, for example, Cornu, Bahrium or the already familiar Zuben Hakrabi. Indeed, for a very long time it was a legitimate component of the constellation Scorpio. However, the star was so far from its native constellation at that time and so close to the bright luminaries of Libra that in the 19th century, astronomer Gould rewrote it as part of Libra, designating it Sigma.

Sigma Libra is a variable pulsating star that has a third magnitude (about 3.29m). Since it is assigned to the spectral type M3, it is most likely a red giant. This star is located 290 light years from us. Its luminosity is on average 1900 times higher and its radius 110 times greater than the Sun. The surface temperature of this reddish star is about 3600 K.

It is also interesting that Sigma Libra is a pulsating star. Thus, its brightness changes every 20 days by an average of 0.26m. This star has entered the final stage of its stellar evolution. All the characteristics of this object have been very well studied: it is confirmed that Sigma does not have any unknown companions, no anomalies in its chemical composition, or dust disks near it. Soon the star will increase in size, then shed its outer shell, and, exposing its core of carbon and oxygen, will turn into a white dwarf.

Curious objects in the constellation Libra

Star Gliese 570

Unfortunately, those interested in astronomy will not find any very bright galaxies within this constellation. However, there are several very noteworthy objects in the constellation. Such, for example, is the star Gliese 570, which is the quadruple system closest to the Sun. It contains four dwarf stars: one each orange and brown and two red. Gliese 570 is 19 light-years from the Sun.

The internal structure of this system is quite complex. Thus, its two components, called B and C, have a common center of mass around which they revolve. The distance between the stars is quite small - approximately 0.79 astronomical units, therefore, the revolution takes 309 days. The main component, the star Gliese 570A, moves away from this pair by as much as 190 astronomical units. Thus, the revolution of the pair B and C, relative to star A, is approximately 2130 years. All components of this quadruple system, together with the most unremarkable (dim and small) component D, are classified as old stars of the galactic disk.

> Libra

Admire the constellation Libra in the southern part of the sky: what it looks like, diagram and map of the starry sky, facts, description with photos, myth, main stars, what time of year.

Libra - constellation, which is located in the southern part of the sky and belongs to the group of zodiac constellations (the traditional 12 zodiac signs in astrology). From Latin “Libra” is translated as “scales”.

Most often, it is displayed as scales in the hands of the goddess of justice Dike (Astraea), represented by Virgo. This is an interesting object, since Libra is the only zodiac representative that displays an object, and not a living being. The brightest stars create a quadrangle: Alpha and Beta Libra are the balancing line, and Gamma and Sigma are Libra itself.

The constellation Libra is home to the oldest star in the Universe – HD 140283 (Methuselah). There is not a single star greater than first magnitude.

Facts, position and map of the constellation Libra

Contains three stars with planets and not a single Messier object. The brightest star is Beta Libra, whose apparent visual magnitude reaches 2.61. There is a meteor shower - the May Lybrids. Included in the zodiac group, where you can also find , , and . Consider the territory of the constellation Libra in the photo.

The myth of the constellation Libra

In Ancient Greece, this celestial area was called “Chelae” - “claws” and it was believed that it was part of Scorpio, or rather its claws. The association with scales already appeared among the Romans in the 1st century BC. It is believed that this happened at the founding of Rome, when the Moon moved into Libra. That is why the constellation was revered and considered the moment when the seasons were balanced, and day was equal in time to night. The fact is that the Sun was at the autumn equinox in Libra until 729, after which it moved to Virgo. In 2439 it will pass to Leo.

But the display of balance was noticed before the Romans. A thousand years before Christ in Babylon this area was called ZIB.BA.AN.NA - “heavenly balance”. After this, the connection with the claws was forgotten and Libra began to be associated with the goddess of Justice Daika (Astraea), whom Virgo represents.

But still the relationship with Scorpio remains. The first brightest star in the constellation, Beta Libra, which is translated from Arabic as “southern claw,” reminds us of this.

The main stars of the constellation Libra

Beta Libra– a blue-white dwarf (B8 V) with an apparent visual magnitude of 2.61 (the first brightest in the constellation) and a distance of 185 light years. It rotates very quickly (250 km/s), with a radius 4.9 times that of the Sun and 130 times brighter.

This is one star that exhibits small periodic changes in luminosity (0.03 magnitude), indicating the presence of a companion.

Alpha Libra- a multiple star system, the two brightest objects of which form a double star and share a common regular motion in space. May be part of the Castor moving group with a common origin of about 200 million years ago. The system is close to the ecliptic and may be occluded by the Moon and planets. On November 10, 2052, it will be closed by Mercury. It ranks second in brightness in the constellation.

Alpha-1 Libra - consists of two components with an apparent visual magnitude of 5.153 and a distance of 74.9 light years. It is a spectroscopic binary system (F4) with a rotation period of 5870 days, whose objects are separated by 0.383 arcseconds (10 AU).

Alpha-2 Libra is a spectroscopic binary system (A3) with an apparent visual magnitude of 2.741 and separated from Alpha-1 at 5400 AU. Located 75.8 light years away.

The star KU Libra may be the fifth component, 2.6 degrees distant. It is moving in the same direction and is close enough to establish a gravitational connection with the stars.

The name "Zuben Elgenubi" is translated from Arabic as "southern claw", and "Kiffa Australis" is translated from Latin as "southern bowl".

Brachium(Sigma Libra) is a red giant (M3/M4 III) with an apparent visual magnitude of 3.29 and a distance of 288 light years. It is a semi-regular variable whose pulsation period is 20 days. Small fluctuations in value from 0.10 to 0.15 are noticeable within 15-20 minutes every 2.5-3 hours.

Although it is located far from the border with Scorpio, it was previously considered its star. It officially received its current designation only on July 31, 1930. The name "Brachium" is translated from Latin as "hand/paw". It is also sometimes called Cornu (“insect antennae”) and Zuben-Hakrabi (“claw”).

Methuselah(HD 140283) is a subgiant and the oldest star in the Universe, created shortly after the Big Bang. The apparent visual magnitude is 7.223, and the distance is 190.1 light years. The star contains little metal, but large amounts of hydrogen and helium. Iron content is less than 1%. The age is 14.46 billion years, and the Universe is 13.77 billion years old. These figures do not conflict because the values ​​are approximate and cannot be calculated accurately.

Upsilon Libra– an orange giant (K3III) and multiple star system with an apparent visual magnitude of 3.60. Located 195 light years away.

Tau Libra– a blue-white dwarf (B2.5V) with an apparent visual magnitude of 3.66 and a distance of 445 light years. Occupies 3.2 solar radii.

Gamma Libra– an orange giant (K0 III) with an apparent magnitude of 3.91 and a distance of 152 light years. Reaches 2.15 solar masses and is 71 times brighter. The name "Zuben el Aqrab" means "scorpion claw" in Arabic.

Theta Libra– an orange giant (K0 III) with a visual magnitude of 4.136 and a distance of 163 light years. Its mass is 84% ​​greater than that of the Sun, and its brightness is 35 times greater.

Iota Libra– system (B9IVpSi) with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.54. It is represented by the pair Iota-1: a subgiant (B9) and a dwarf star, located 377 light years away, as well as Iota-2, a dwarf (A3) located 240 light years from the Sun.

The Iota-1 objects orbit each other with a period of 23.469 years and are separated by 0.13 arcseconds. The total mass is 6.05 solar, and they are 149 and 94 times larger in size. There are also a couple of dwarfs (G) with magnitudes 10 and 11.

Delta Libra– a blue-white star (B9.5V) of the main sequence with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.43 and a distance of 300 light years. It is an eclipsing variable star with a period of 2.3272 days, whose luminosity ranges from 4.43 to 5.81 magnitude.

48 Libra– a blue supergiant (B8Ia/Iab) with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.94 and a distance of 515 light years. Reaches 5.8 solar masses, 3.3 times larger in radius and 965 times brighter. In addition, it has one of the highest rotation speeds - 400 km/s.

Exhibits irregular brightness changes from high rotation speed, resulting in the ejection of equatorial gas and the formation of a gaseous equatorial disk.

Gliese 581– a red dwarf (M3V) with an apparent magnitude of 10.56-10.58 and a distance of 20.3 light years. It is in 89th position in proximity to our system, occupying 1/3 of the solar mass and 0.2% of visual luminosity. Located 2 degrees north of Beta Libra.

It is a BY Draco variable star (K or M class main sequence stars with changes in luminosity due to rotation and the presence of starspots). It has 3-6 planets, the first of which was discovered in April 2007. But Gliese 581c is too close and may resemble Venus. But Gliese 581 d is capable of existing in the habitable zone or beyond. The least massive was Gliese 581 e, found in April 2009.

In September 2010, another planet was spotted. If its presence is confirmed, it will be most suitable for liquid water, since it is located in the middle of the habitable zone. In November 2012, the European Space Agency discovered a comet belt containing 10 times more comets than the Solar System.

23 Libra– a yellow dwarf (G5 V) with an apparent visual magnitude of 6.45 and a distance of 85 light years. Contains two planets discovered in 1999 and 2009. The star is much older than the Sun (8.4-11.1 billion years). Reaches 107% of solar mass and 125% of radius.

Contains 83 stars visible to the naked eye. The constellation Libra is one of the most prominent constellations of the Zodiac, despite the fact that only six of its stars are brighter than 4th magnitude. The Sun is in the constellation from October 31 to November 22. The most favorable visibility conditions are in April - May. Fully observed in the central and southern regions of Russia.

Libra constellation symbol - ♎︎

Initially, the stars of the constellation Libra were part of Scorpio. As an independent constellation in the ancient tradition, Libra took shape quite late, around the 2nd century BC. e. However, mentions of them are found earlier, for example, Arat of Soli writes about the constellation in the poem “Appearances and Predictions” (III century BC). However, even in the 1st century BC, Virgil proposed creating a new constellation in this place, dedicated to the Emperor Augustus, cutting down the constellation Scorpio. Most often, the constellation Libra is depicted as scales in the hands of the goddess of justice Dike (Astraea), represented by Virgo. This is an interesting object, since Libra is the only zodiac representative that displays an object, and not a living being. The brightest stars create a quadrangle: Alpha and Beta Libra are the balancing line, and Gamma and Sigma are Libra itself.

The brightest stars in the constellation form a rectangle

• α Libra, Zuben el Genubi (“Southern Claw”) - visually double with gloss components 5.15m, 2.75m
• β Libra, Zuben el Shemali, ("Northern Claw")
• γ Libra, Zuben el Akrab ("Scorpion's Claw")
• δ Libra is an eclipsing variable star, changing brightness from 4.8 to 6.0 magnitude with a period of 2.3 days.
• σ Libra, semi-regular variable star

α and β Libra represent the "yoke" of the scales, and γ and σ the "bowls".

The legend of the constellation Libra

During the period when the constellation was established as an independent constellation, the name “Claws” was used for it: the claws of the constellation Scorpio were meant. During this period, the corresponding group of stars was sometimes interpreted as an asterism, sometimes as a constellation. In particular, in Ptolemy's Almagest the constellation is described as a separate constellation "Claw". At the same time, the name “Libra” was used for the corresponding zodiac sign, probably of Asian Minor origin. This name becomes commonly used for the constellation around the 1st century BC. e. Libra is the only constellation in the zodiac that represents an inanimate object. Researchers believe that this is due specifically to the late formation of the constellation.

According to some authors, at first the constellation represented an altar, then it was depicted as an altar, a lamp, but usually as scales grasped in the claws of Scorpio or with the claws of Scorpio lying on the scales. Later, the claws “let go of the prey” and shortened. Until now, the stars α and β Libra are called the Southern and Northern Claws.

In ancient myths, the constellation was considered an attribute of Themis, Demeter or Nemesis ascended to heaven.

Scales- zodiac constellation. It is at its highest point above the horizon and is best seen at night in June and July. Its closest neighbors are the constellations Ophiuchus, Scorpio, Wolf, Virgo and Serpent.

On a clear and moonless night, about 50 stars can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation Libra, but only six of them are brighter than fourth magnitude. The four brightest stars form a rhomboid, the characteristic geometric shape of this constellation. It doesn't take much imagination to see a rocker and scales in this figure. On star maps, the constellation Libra was depicted in the form of ancient apothecary scales.

In this constellation, the eclipsing variable star delta Libra is of interest. Both of its components have approximately the same dimensions (their radii are 2,400,000 and 2,500,000 kilometers). One of the stars is blue, the other is yellow. The period of the system is 2.23 days. The brightness of Libra varies from 4m.8 to 5m.9. When the yellow star is in front of the blue one, a second minimum of luminosity is observed. The star delta Libra is easily observed with the naked eye.

Libra belongs to the constellations known to mankind for a long time. This is the only zodiac constellation whose name is not related to the name of living beings. How did this measuring instrument get to heaven?

More than two thousand years ago, the point of the autumnal equinox was located in the region of the constellation Libra. During its apparent annual movement along the ecliptic, the Sun was at this point on September 23, and the length of the day was equal to the length of the night. Probably, the equality of day and night was the reason for the name of this area of ​​​​the sky in ancient times. This is how the constellation Libra appeared among the zodiac constellations.

The constellation Libra is also associated with the agricultural work of the ancient Egyptians. After harvesting and threshing, before the wheat was stored in barns, the resulting crop was weighed. Apparently, this was done at a time when the Sun was in the area of ​​this constellation. Thus, the constellation Libra recalled the work of weighing the harvest

Constellation Libra

Mythology associated the constellation Libra with the scales of the goddess of justice Dike.

From the heights of bright Olympus, Zeus established order and laws in Heaven and Earth. He strictly ensured that they were carried out by people. But Zeus had other worries, and therefore he had assistants. Next to his throne was always the goddess of justice Themis. By order of Zeus, she convened the gods for a council, organized public meetings and oversaw the maintenance of order and law.

The daughter of Zeus and Themis - the tireless Dike - walked around the Earth with her scales. In order to make her appear impartial, her eyes were blindfolded. She told her father Zeus about the deeds of unjust judges and people, and he severely punished them for not observing the laws he had established.

Goddess Dike was the enemy of all deception and lies. She defended only truth and justice. On her scales, she most accurately measured the just and unjust actions of people, so that they would receive a well-deserved punishment from Zeus, so that only justice would reign everywhere in the world.

Zeus left the scales for his daughter Dike in the sky. Thus, the constellation Libra appeared among the zodiac constellations to remind people that they must strictly adhere to the laws and be guided by justice in their actions.