Constellations Libra names of stars

Libra is located on the ecliptic between Scorpio and Virgo. The plane in the sky on which the planets, moon and sun travel is known as the ecliptic. As you all know that the earth orbits the sun on ecliptic. On the other hand the solar system objects don’t orbit the sun on ecliptic but they only pass through the constellations. These constellations reside on the earth.

Libra is quite a smaller constellation and it has lesser targets of interest. The stars of Libra form a triangle. Along with this the stars form two lines who stretch down from each end. This represents the baskets that then hold the items that are weighted.

In the constellation, the star which is the brightest is at the top of the triangle. It has been named as Zubeneschamali. Zubeneschamali is situated at a magnitude 2.61. It is located as many as 160 light years away and it is a blue star. The meaning of the word Zubeneschamali is northern claw. This name has been remmant when Libra was a part of Scorpion. The start which is located to the south or right of Zubeneschamali in the triangle is known as Zubenelgenubi. The meaning of the name Zubenelgenubi is south claw. Zubenelgenubi has a magnitude 5.15 stellar companion and it is a magnitude 2.75 star. It is very easy to separate this double star with a pair of binoculars. Both Zubeneschamali and Zubenelgenubi are 77 light year away from each other hence both are physically different.

The last star that completes the triangle of Libra is known as Zubenelakrab. The meaning of the name Zubenelakrab is scorpion’s claw. Zubenelakrab lies 152 light years away and it is a 3.91 magnitude star.

There is a deep sky object in the middle of the constellation of Libra. This object is known as NGC 5897 and it is a globular cluster. This globular cluster shines at magnitude 8.6. As compared to some of the well known globuras, NGC 5897 globular cluster is more irregularly shaped and is a little more diffuse.

Also, as compared to some of the other sun signs, Libra does not have any bright galaxies. However is you have a telescope with you, then there is one such galaxy which is quite easy to find out. This galaxy is located just half degree away from Zubeneschamali which is the brightest star. The galaxy is located in such a way that it also lies in the direction of the second brightest star which is the Zubenelgenubi. This galaxy is a barred spiral galaxy of magnitude 11.7.

Recently, one discovery has put Libra in the news big time. Experts have discovered a planet which is very similar to the Earth. Interestingly, this planet happens to lie in the direction of the Libra constellation. The planet has been named as Gliese 581c.

Apparently the only constellation of the zodiac which represents an inanimate object is the Libra constellation.