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

Libra (The Balance) Constellation

Altitude: 21.9°   Azimuth: 185.0°   Direction: South

Libra (pronounced ˈlaɪbrə, ˈliː-) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 34 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 Balance" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Lib" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Libr" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Librae" (pronounced ˈlaɪbriː) 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 Librae (the brightest star of Libra based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Librae (the 23th star in the constellation of Libra based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Libra is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 22°.
Available Resources for Libra

Sky Chart of Libra Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Libra constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Libra 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 Libra Constellation

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

Today's Libra 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: 106.5°
Max altitude: 22.0°
Azimuth: 253.5°
Libra is above 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 Libra actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Libra Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Libra constellation. See also the complete list of 85 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Libra. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR5685 β Librae Zubeneschamali 2.61 Variable;
HR5531 α2 Librae Zubenelgenubi 2.75 Variable; Multiple;
HR5603 σ Librae Brachium 3.29 Variable;
HR5794 υ Librae 3.58 Double;
HR5812 τ Librae 3.66
HR5787 γ Librae Zubenelhakrabi 3.91 Multiple;
HR5908 θ Librae 4.15
HR5570 16 Librae 4.49
HR5652 ι1 Librae 4.54 Variable; Multiple;
HR5777 37 Librae 4.62
HR5838 κ Librae 4.74 Variable; Double;
HR5941 48 Librae 4.88 Variable;
HR5586 δ Librae 4.92 Variable; Multiple;
HR5535 11 Librae 4.94
HR5723 ε Librae 4.94
HR5824 42 Librae 4.96
HR5902 λ Librae 5.03
HR5775 36 Librae 5.15
HR5530 α1 Librae 5.15 Multiple;
HR5780 5.17
...go to the complete list of 85 bright stars in the constellation of Libra

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

Deep Sky Objects in Libra Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Libra constellation. See also the complete list of 78 deep sky objects in the constellation of Libra. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
NGC 5897 Globular Cluster 8.52 (V)
NGC 5903 Galaxy 11.48 (V)
NGC 5898 Galaxy 11.52 (V)
NGC 5885 Galaxy 11.7 (B)
NGC 5792 Galaxy 11.8 (B)
NGC 5605 Galaxy 12 (B)
NGC 5595 Galaxy 12 (B)
NGC 5812 Galaxy 12 (B)
NGC 5892 Galaxy 12 (B)
NGC 5878 Galaxy 12.1 (B)
NGC 5861 Galaxy 12.62 (V)
NGC 5729 Galaxy 12.8 (B)
IC 4538 Galaxy 12.83 (B)
NGC 5791 Galaxy 12.89 (B)
NGC 5716 Galaxy 13 (B)
NGC 5796 Galaxy 13 (B)
NGC 5756 Galaxy 13 (B)
NGC 5915 Galaxy 13.1 (B)
IC 1055 Galaxy 13.3 (B)
NGC 5793 Galaxy 13.32 (V)
...go to the complete list of 78 deep sky objects in the constellation of Libra