Leo

Quick Facts

Name:	Leo LEE-oh
Meaning:	Lion
Abbreviation:	Leo
Genitive:	Leonis
Visible in Latitudes:	90° thru -65°
Viewing Season:	Spring
Best Seen In:	April, 9:00 pm
Transit Date:	Febrary 22
Right Ascension:	10.66 hours
Declination:	16.5 degrees
Area:	946.964 sq. degrees

Star Diagram

Star Diagram: Leo

About Leo

Leo is the Nemean Lion from the Moon who was sent by Hera to slay Hercules. As Hercules's first labor, he killed the lion by strangling it with his bare hands. Hercules wore the skin, which made him invincible. When Hercules died, the lion was returned to the celestial heavens with Hercules.

Leo, to the Egyptians, was the place the Sun rose after creation (near Denebola) and so was called Domicilium Solis, the badge of fire and heat, or the House of the Sun.

Named Stars

Name		Star

Regulus		Alpha Leo
Denebola		Beta Leo
Algieba		Gamma 1 Leo
Zosma		Delta Leo
Ras Elased Australis		Epsilon Leo
Adhafera		Zeta Leo
Chort		Theta Leo
Al Minliar al Asad		Kappa Leo
Alterf		Lambda Leo
Ras Elased Borealis		Mu Leo
Subra		Omicron Leo

Messier Objects

Name		Type

M65		Spiral Galaxy
M66		Spiral Galaxy
M95		Spiral Galaxy
M96		Spiral Galaxy
M105		Elliptical Galaxy