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Libra constellation

Libra is a zodiac constellation near the celestial equator. Its brightest star is Zubeneschamali. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.

  • Summerbest seen
  • Zubeneschamalibrightest star, magnitude 2.6
  • LibLibra
Show on the sky map
The constellation Libra in the starry sky: its figure and its bright stars Antares, Scorpius — magnitude 1.1. Open on the sky mapDschubba, Scorpius — magnitude 2.3. Open on the sky mapAcrab, Scorpius — magnitude 2.6. Open on the sky mapZubeneschamali, Libra — magnitude 2.6. Open on the sky mapZubeneschamaliZubenelgenubi, Libra — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapZubenelgenubiPaikauhale, Scorpius — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapFang, Scorpius — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapAlniyat, Scorpius — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapBrachium, Libra — magnitude 3.3. Open on the sky mapBrachiumυ Librae — magnitude 3.6. Open on the sky mapτ Librae — magnitude 3.7. Open on the sky mapZubenelhakrabi, Libra — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapθ Librae — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapι Librae — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky map N ↑← E
North is up, east is left — this is how the constellation looks in the sky. Click a star to open it on the sky map.

How to find the constellation Libra

Use its brightest star as a guide: Zubeneschamali (magnitude 2.6). In June around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 19°.

LocationVisibility
40° NMadrid, New York, Beijingrises and sets, fully visible
52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsawrises and sets, fully visible
60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburgrises and sets, fully visible

Bright stars of the constellation

StarMagnitudeColorDistance
Zubeneschamaliβ Librae 2.6bluish white—
Zubenelgenubiα² Librae 2.8bluish white—
Brachiumσ Librae 3.3red—
υ Librae 3.6orange—
τ Librae 3.7blue—
Zubenelhakrabiγ Librae 3.9orange—
θ Librae 4.1orange—
16 Librae 4.5white—
ι Librae 4.5bluish white—

Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.

Questions

How do you find the constellation Libra in the sky?

Use its brightest star as a guide: Zubeneschamali (magnitude 2.6). In June around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 19°.

When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Libra?

In summer: in June around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.

What is the brightest star in the constellation Libra?

Zubeneschamali: magnitude 2.6, bluish white.

How many stars are there in the constellation Libra?

With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 49 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.

Summer constellations

Find it in the sky tonightA sky map over your city: where the constellation Libra is now and when it will rise.
Open the sky map