Jacqueline Garcia 1st period Astronomy

The constellation Libra is also known as The Scales.

Libra

Location RA: 14h 51.4m DEC: -16’5’Size 538˚ 29th in sizeConstellations that surround Libra include Centaurus, Hydra, Lupus, Ophiuchus, Scorpio, Serpens Caput, and Virgo.

Visible During the summer Libra is visible to the Northern Hemisphere.It is considered a part of the zodiac. The brightest star in the constellation is Zubeneschamali with the RA of 15h 17.0m and the Dec of -9˚ 22.8’. Magnitude 2.61 The second brightest star in the constellation is Zubenelgenubi with the RA of 14h 51.4m and the Dec of -16˚5’. Magnitude 2.75The third largest star in the constellation Libra is Brachium with the RA of 15h 4.1m and has the -25˚ 16.8’. Magnitude of 3.25

Brachium

Greek/Roman mythology The Greeks saw Libras two brightest starts as the claws of the Scorpio constellation. The brightest start in the constellation Zubenelgenubi translates to “The northern claw of the scorpion” in Arabic terms while the Zubeneschamali, the second largest start in the constellation, translates to “The southern claw of the scorpion.” The Romans believed that the Starry Goddess Astraea was holding the Scales of Justice. The constellation Virgo is Libras neighboring constellation

Other myths

During Roman times the constellation Libra was the favorite constellation due to its balance with the sun. Equal length of night and day. The Sun was at the autumnal equinox in Libra until the year 729 when it switched to Virgo.

FUN FACTS!The system Gliese 581 is known for containing six planets that resemble those of Earth.The planet Gliese 581e was discovered as being the smallest extrasolar planet to orbit a normal star.The planet Gliese 581c has same characteristics to Earth and was discovered to be the first extrasolar planet to orbit around its parent star.

Credits Slide Slide 2: "Libra Constellation." <i>Constellation Guide</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.Slide 3:"Constellations of Scorpius and Libra - Knowle Astronomical Society - Astronomy in Solihull, the West Midlands, and Warwickshire." Constellations of Scorpius and Libra - Knowle Astronomical Society - Astronomy in Solihull, the West Midlands, and Warwickshire. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.Slide 4:"Constellations of Scorpius and Libra - Knowle Astronomical Society - Astronomy in Solihull, the West Midlands, and Warwickshire." Constellations of Scorpius and Libra - Knowle Astronomical Society - Astronomy in Solihull, the West Midlands, and Warwickshire. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.Slide 5:http://www.space.com/21597-libra-constellation.html "Libra & Scorpio Night Sky Star Chart Map - Zodiac Constellation Stars from 1948 Astronomy Textbook." Etsy. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.Slide 6:"05/14/2015 - Ephemeris - The Constellation Virgo in Mythology." <i>Bob Molers Ephemeris Blog</i>. N.p., 14 May 2015. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.Slide 7:Contributor, Kim Ann Zimmermann SPACE.com. "Libra Constellation: Facts About the Scales | Space.com." N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.