The Libra Constellation, the Balance, represents Justice and Equality. It corresponds to the 7th constellation of the 12 zodiac constellations; it is also part of the 88 constellations recognized by modern astronomy. is the only one constellation of the zodiac in which they do not refer to a living being; is represented by the Balance.
It is said to be the constellation that has the least myths. Its stars are not among the brightest in the night sky, since none of its stars is of magnitude 1; reason why it is not usually a very showy constellation either. This constellation is linked to the Virgo constellation in mythology and was part of the Scorpio constellation, being the claws of the Scorpio.
Main stars Libra
Libra’s main stars form a rectangle: α and β Librae are the balance arms and γ and δ are the trays.
- FIRST: α Librae, Zubenelgenubi (the southern claw), is a visual binary.
- SECOND: β Librae, Zubeneschamali (the claw of the north).
- THIRD: γ Librae, Zuvenelakrab (the scorpion’s claw).
- FOURTH: δ Librae, a variable eclipsing.
Curiosities of the Libra Constellation
- FIRST: The Libra Constellation can be seen at latitudes between +65° and -90.
- SECOND: The constellation Libra can be seen in all the southern hemisphere of the Earth and up to 58° north latitudes, at the summer solstice when it reaches its highest point.
- THIRD: The Libra Constellation does not have First Magnitude stars.
- FOURTH: The Best Month to appreciate this Constellation is the month of May.
- FIFTH: The constellation Libra has an associated meteor shower.
- SIXTH: The Constellation Libra in the zodiac is from September 23rd to October 22nd.
Libra Mythology
The constellation, which originally formed part of the claws of the scorpion (Scorpio), is the newest in the Zodiac and the only one that does not represent a living creature. In recent times in Greek mythology, this constellation, that was considered to be vaguely like scales, it was considered to be the representation of the scales of Astrea (identified with Virgo), the goddess of justice.
As Libra it was considered part of Virgo (like scales), and before that part of Scorpio; it was not considered a distinct entity in the Zodiac. Its place would have been occupied by Boötes, who is very close to the ecliptic.
Boötes along with Ursa Major, Draco, and Ursa Minor, everyone in Libra could have originated the myth of the apples of the Hesperides; one of the twelve works of Hercules.
