Libra

Quick Facts

Star Diagram

About Libra

The early Greeks did not recognize Libra as the scales, but included it as the claws of the scorpion. Credit is usually given to the Romans for creating this constellation as a sign of the autumnal equinox. The constellation first appeared in the Julian calendar in 46 B.C. The constellation appears again in 43 B.C. in which a comet appeared during the same year as Caesar's assassination. The writing indicates the comet took his soul to heaven; this comet may very well be the same one seen in 531, 1106 and 1680; its next apparition will be 2255.

The Egyptians, Hebrews, Persians and Syrians all had Libra on their planet spheres and called it the 'weigh beam' or scale beam. The Arabs followed the Greeks including it as part of the scorpions claws.

Named Stars

Neighboring Constellations