Libra
The Scales, a southern zodiacal constellation (see
illustration). It has no bright stars. Traditional
pictures show a set of scales (a balance) with
pans held by chains. Perhaps its name comes from
the nearby constellation Virgo, who was the goddess
of justice and who would have used scales
to balance good and evil deeds. Also, the autum-
Magnitudes:
16h 15h
0°
–30°
–10°
–20°
right ascension
declination
4.0–4.5
4.5–5.0
5.0–5.5
5.5–6.0
Variable
3.5–4.0
3.0–3.5
2.5–3.0
2.0–2.5
1.5–2.0
VIRGO
SERPENS CAPUT
HYDRA
LUPUS CENTAURUS
SCORPIUS
OPHIUCHUS
LIBRA
48
ξ1
ξ2
α
β
γ
δ
ε
η ζ
ϑ
κ ι λ
μ
ν
σ
τ
υ
ecliptic
Zubenelgenubi
Zubenelschamali
Modern boundaries of the constellation Libra, the scales. The celestial equator is 0◦ of declination, which corresponds to
celestial latitude. Right ascension corresponds to celestial longitude, with each hour of right ascension representing 15◦ of
arc. A
