Leo (constellation)

Leo

Constellation
List of stars in Leo
Abbreviation	Leo
Genitive	Leonis
Pronunciation	/ˈliːoʊ/, genitive /liːˈoʊnɪs/
Symbolism	the Lion
Right ascension	11h
Declination	+15°
Quadrant	NQ2
Area	947 sq. deg. (12th)
Main stars	9, 15
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	92
Stars with planets	13
Stars brighter than 3.00m	5
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)	5
Brightest star	Regulus (α Leo) (1.35m)
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.

Leo /ˈliːoʊ/ is one of the constellations of the zodiac, between Cancer the crab to the west and Virgo the maiden to the east. It is located in the Northern celestial hemisphere. Its name is Latin for lion, and to the ancient Greeks represented the Nemean Lion killed by the mythical Greek hero Heracles as one of his twelve labors. Its old astronomical symbol is (♌︎). One of the 48 constellations described by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, Leo remains one of the 88 modern constellations today, and one of the most easily recognizable due to its many bright stars and a distinctive shape that is reminiscent of the crouching lion it depicts.