The figure in the sky: north is up, east is to the left. Larger dots are brighter stars.

Constellation

Leo

The shape: a backwards question mark (the head) and a triangle (the back).

The Nemean Lion had a hide that no weapon could pierce – Hercules had to defeat it with his bare hands. The “Sickle” is its mane, Regulus its heart. The Leonid shooting stars come from this direction in November.

The stars of the figure

From bright to faint. Brightness is given in magnitudes (mag): the smaller the number, the brighter the star.

Regulus · 1.35 mag
Algieba · 2.01 mag
Denebola · 2.13 mag
Zosma · 2.56 mag
EpsLeo · 2.98 mag
Chertan · 3.33 mag
Adhafera · 3.43 mag
EtaLeo · 3.48 mag
Rasalas · 3.88 mag

Shooting stars from the constellation Leo

Leonids: these shooting stars seem to come from this part of the sky. More under Meteor showers.

In the 3D model

In the 3D model, under “Explore”, the sky dome shows when the constellation Leo can be seen above Switzerland. “Constellations in 3D” shows how far apart its stars really are.

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