The Lion
Leo
Genitive: Leonis · abbreviation Leo
Best evening month
April
Visible from
75°S to 90°N
Centre RA
10h 35m 00s
Centre Dec
+15° 00′
In your sky
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Mythology & origin
The Nemean Lion, whose impenetrable hide Heracles overcame in his first labour. Regulus, its heart, lies almost exactly on the ecliptic.
Ptolemy · Almagest, 2nd century AD
Zodiac
♌︎ The sign of Leo
The astrological sign shares this name but no longer matches the stars' dates — see why.
Brightest stars
- mag 1.36
Regulus
α Leonis · HIP 49669
- mag 2.01
Algieba
γ1 Leonis · HIP 50583
- mag 2.14
Denebola
β Leonis · HIP 57632
- mag 2.56
Zosma
δ Leonis · HIP 54872
- mag 2.97
Algenubi
ε Leonis · HIP 47908
- mag 3.33
Chertan
θ Leonis · HIP 54879
- mag 3.43
Adhafera
ζ Leonis · HIP 50335
- mag 3.48
Al Jabhah
η Leonis · HIP 49583
- mag 3.52
Subra
ο Leonis · HIP 47508
- mag 3.84
ρ Leonis
HIP 51624