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public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
sunny DaytimeWhat's Visible Now?
All Constellations » 

Leo (The Lion) Constellation

Altitude: -24.0°   Azimuth: 10.8°   Direction: North

Leo (pronounced ˈliːoʊ) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 45 degrees across the sky) situated close to the celestial equator. As such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.

In English language this constellation is also known as "The Lion" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Leo" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Leon" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Leonis" (pronounced liːˈoʊnɪs) and it is used to identify some of the brightest stars in this constellation based on the Bayer or Flamsteed star naming convention. For instance: α Leonis (the brightest star of Leo based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Leonis (the 23th star in the constellation of Leo based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Leo is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt.
Available Resources for Leo

Sky Chart of Leo Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Leo constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Leo in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Chart of  constellation
This constellation image is derivatve work based on original work by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) CC-BY-3.0.

Visibility of Leo Constellation

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Today's Leo rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 76.1°
Max altitude: 52.4°
Azimuth: 283.9°
Leo is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

The rise and set times provided here are just directional indications and they refer to a point approximately placed at the center of the constellation. In case of very large constellations (like Leo actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Leo Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Leo constellation. See also the complete list of 129 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Leo. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR3982 α Leonis Regulus 1.35 Variable; Multiple;
HR4534 β Leonis Denebola 2.14 Variable; Multiple;
HR4357 δ Leonis Zosma 2.56 Variable; Multiple;
HR4057 γ1 Leonis Algieba 2.61 Variable; Multiple;
HR3873 ε Leonis 2.98 Variable;
HR4359 θ Leonis Chertan 3.34 Variable;
HR4031 ζ Leonis Adhafera 3.44 Variable; Double;
HR3975 η Leonis 3.52 Variable; Double;
HR3852 ο Leonis Subra 3.52 Multiple;
HR4058 γ2 Leonis 3.8 Variable; Multiple;
HR4133 ρ Leonis 3.85 Variable;
HR3905 μ Leonis Rasalas 3.88
HR4399 ι Leonis 3.94 Variable; Double;
HR4386 σ Leonis 4.05
HR4471 υ Leonis 4.3 Double;
HR3773 λ Leonis Alterf 4.31 Variable;
HR3980 31 Leonis 4.37 Double;
HR4300 60 Leonis 4.42
HR3731 κ Leonis 4.46 Variable; Multiple;
HR4368 φ Leonis 4.47 Double;
...go to the complete list of 129 bright stars in the constellation of Leo

(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.

Deep Sky Objects in Leo Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Leo constellation. See also the complete list of 832 deep sky objects in the constellation of Leo. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
Messier 66 (Leo Triplet) Galaxy 8.92 (V)
NGC 3521 Galaxy 9.02 (V)
NGC 2903 Galaxy 9.07 (V)
Messier 96 Galaxy 9.25 (V)
Messier 65 (Leo Triplet) Galaxy 9.32 (V)
NGC 3628 Galaxy 9.48 (V)
Messier 95 Galaxy 9.73 (V)
Messier 105 Galaxy 9.76 (V)
NGC 3384 Galaxy 10 (B)
NGC 3489 Galaxy 10.29 (V)
NGC 3377 Galaxy 10.38 (V)
NGC 3640 Galaxy 10.44 (V)
NGC 3412 Galaxy 10.54 (V)
NGC 3193 Galaxy 10.88 (V)
NGC 3705 Galaxy 11.07 (V)
NGC 3646 Galaxy 11.13 (V)
NGC 3189 Galaxy 11.15 (V)
NGC 3626 Galaxy 11.2 (B)
NGC 3507 Galaxy 11.4 (B)
NGC 3810 Galaxy 11.4 (B)
...go to the complete list of 832 deep sky objects in the constellation of Leo