Leo (constellation)
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| List of stars in Leo | |
| Abbreviation: | Leo |
| Genitive: | Leonis |
| Symbolism: | the Lion |
| Right ascension: | 11 h |
| Declination: | +15° |
| Area: | 947 sq. deg. (12th) |
| Main stars: | 9, 15 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars: |
92 |
| Stars with known planets: |
7 |
| Bright stars: | 3 |
| Nearby stars: | 3 |
| Brightest star: | Regulus (α Leo) (1.4m) |
| Nearest star: | Wolf 359 (7.78 ly) |
| Messier objects: | 5 |
| Meteor showers: | Leonids |
| Bordering constellations: |
Ursa Major Leo Minor Lynx (corner) Cancer Hydra Sextans Crater Virgo Coma Berenices |
| Visible at latitudes between +90° and −65° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of April |
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Leo (pronounced /ˈliːoʊ/, Latin: lion, symbol 
, Unicode ♌) is a constellation of the zodiac. Leo lies between dim Cancer to the west and Virgo to the east.
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Notable deep sky objects
Leo contains many bright galaxies, of which Messier 65, Messier 66, Messier 95, and Messier 96 are the most famous, the first two being part of the Leo Triplet.
Mythology
In Greek mythology, it was identified as the Nemean Lion (and may have been a source of the tale) which was killed by Hercules during one of his twelve labours, and subsequently put into the sky.
Astrology
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Main article: Leo (astrology)
The Western astrological sign Leo of the tropical zodiac (July 23 – August 22) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (August 10 – September 15).
In some cosmologies, Leo is associated with the classical element Fire, and thus called a Fire Sign (with Aries and Sagittarius). Leo is also one of the Fixed signs (along with Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius).
It is the domicile of the Sun. The Egyptian pharaoh Nechepso, and his priest Petosiris, taught that at the creation of the world the Sun rose here near Denebola, and hence Leo was Domicilium Solis, the emblem of fire and heat, and the "House of the Sun".
Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body azzip, viewed as the seat of its power. Leo rules the heart and spine.
Citations
References
- Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, by Richard Allen Hinckley, Dover. ISBN 0-486-21079-0
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
- Dictionary of Symbols, by Carl G. Liungman, W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-31236-4
External links
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| Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces |
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