Sky Tonight
ST
Location settings
OH, US
40°/-83°
GMT -4
Waning22:18 - 04:48
🔎
☰
Sky-Tonight.com / Constellations / Libra
  • Tonight
    • Brightest Objects
  • Solar System
    • Sun
    • Moon
    • Planets
    • Mercury
    • Venus
    • Mars
    • Jupiter
    • Saturn
    • Satellite Flyovers
    • ISS
  • Small Bodies
    • Asteroids
    • Comets
  • Stars
    • Brightest Stars
  • Meteor Showers
    • Active Meteor Showers
    • Major Meteor Showers
  • Solar Eclipses
    • Future Solar Eclipses
    • Past Solar Eclipses
  • Lunar Eclipses
    • Future Lunar Eclipses
    • Past Lunar Eclipses
  • Deep Sky Objects
    • Summer Nebulae
    • Messier Objects
    • Nebulae
    • Star Clusters
    • Galaxies
  • Double Stars
    • Naked-Eye
    • Binocular
    • Physical
    • Color-Contrasting
    • Triple Star Systems
    • Multiple Star Systems
  • Constellations
    • Visible Tonight
    • Seasonal
    • Ecliptic
    • All 88 Constellations
  • Maps
    • Lunar map
    • Mars map
    • Mercury map
    • Eatrh
    • Cloud Cover Map
    • Aurora Activity
  • Contact Us
    • Feedback

Observation Settings

Or select it on the map:
This Earth map fragment is intended to illustrate celestial motion across the sky, emphasizing both bearing and elevational perspectives. The map's center point corresponds to the transit, showcasing celestial objects at their highest point, while elevation gradually decreases towards the map edges. This dynamic representation offers insights into the changing positions of celestial bodies with a focus on their bearing and elevational trajectories.
Your location: Columbus, United States
Timezone:
Latitude:
39.9625
Longitude:
-83.0061

Libra Constellation

Double-click to unlock the map.
Libra, the scales, is a zodiac constellation symbolizing balance and fairness, located near the constellations Virgo and Scorpius.

Libra (The Scales)

Libra is one of the 13 ecliptic constellations, symbolizing a set of scales and representing balance, justice, and harmony. It is unique as the only zodiac constellation representing an inanimate object. Though not particularly bright, Libra is an important constellation with deep mythological and historical connections.

Key Features

  • Bright Stars: Libra contains a few notable stars:
    • Zubenelgenubi (Alpha Librae): A binary star system and the brightest star in Libra, representing one of the balance's pans.
    • Zubeneschamali (Beta Librae): The second brightest star, which some observers describe as having a greenish hue.
    • Zubenelhakrabi (Gamma Librae): A giant star located in the central region of the constellation.
  • Deep-Sky Objects: While Libra is relatively sparse in deep-sky objects, it includes:
    • NGC 5897: A faint globular cluster located approximately 40,000 light-years away.

Mythological Background

Libra is often associated with the scales of justice held by Astraea, the goddess of justice, who is represented by the neighboring constellation Virgo. This association emphasizes Libra’s symbolic connection to fairness and balance. In Roman mythology, Libra was linked to the goddess Dike, another representation of justice.

In Babylonian astronomy, Libra was associated with balance and fairness, and its stars were sometimes considered part of the claws of the scorpion (Scorpius). The scales were later recognized as a distinct constellation, embodying the concept of equilibrium.

Cultural Significance

Libra’s association with balance and justice has made it a symbol in various cultures and philosophies. Its name, meaning "scales" in Latin, reflects its importance in marking the balance of day and night during the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the equinox has shifted due to precession, Libra’s symbolism endures in astrology and cultural references.

Libra Rise and Set Timetable

TimeElevation
Libra Rise17:42
Sunset21:0230°
Civil sunset21:3633°
Astrosession begin22:1835°
Libra Transit22:5336°
Moon Rise, 45.2% illuminated01:4523°
Libra Set04:04
Astrosession end04:48-8°
Moon Set14:38-34°

Track Libra Position Throughout the Night

← Thu, 19 June 2025 →

Elevation (degrees)
Time02:18
Altitude35°
Azimuth-169°
Shift the map to change the time and observe Libra changing position in the night sky.

Annual motion of Libra

Time
DateThu, 19 June 2025
Twighlight start23:02
Twighlight end03:54
Twighlight duration5h 52m
Rise17:38
Set04:00
Elevation at transit36°
Transit time22:49
Equatorial coordinatesRA: 15h 11m 56s", Dec: -13° 59' 11s
Magnitude-
Constellation
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Libra, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Libra is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries, which provide a consistent framework for celestial mapping.

Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for their collaboration in producing the charts and tables. The constellation patterns, drawn by Alan MacRobert, were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and thoughtfully adjusted to align with earlier traditions.