What it looks like
Leo is a large, prominent zodiac constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere, drawn as a crouching lion. The Sickle forms its head and mane, while a triangle of stars trailing east marks its hindquarters.
Brightest stars
Leo contains four stars brighter than magnitude 2.5, anchored by Regulus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulus (α Leonis) | +1.40 | 79 ly | The Little King |
| Algieba (γ Leonis) | +2.08 | 130 ly | The Forehead |
| Denebola (β Leonis) | +2.14 | 36 ly | Tail of the Lion |
| Zosma (δ Leonis) | +2.56 | 58 ly | The Girdle |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Leo is the Nemean Lion, a beast with an impenetrable hide that Heracles strangled as the first of his twelve labours.
The Nemean Lion
The lion terrorised the region of Nemea and could not be wounded by any weapon. Heracles trapped it in a cave and strangled it with his bare hands, then wore its hide as armour. Zeus placed the lion in the sky to commemorate the feat, which became the first of the twelve labours.
Older roots
Mesopotamian records identify a lion constellation in this same region as early as 4000 BC, and the star Regulus was associated with kingship in both Babylonian and Persian tradition.
How to find it
Look for the Sickle — a backwards question mark — on spring evenings, with Regulus at its base and Denebola trailing to the east.
- Find the Sickle first; Regulus sits at its bottom.
- Look between Cancer to the west and Virgo to the east.
- Best on spring evenings from both hemispheres.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- Leo
- Genitive
- Leonis
- Meaning
- The Lion
- Brightest star
- Regulus
- Main stars
- 9
- Area rank
- 12th
- Best visible
- April
- Declination
- +15°
- Meteor showers
- Leonids
- Neighbours
- Ursa Major, Leo Minor, Lynx, Cancer, Hydra, Sextans, Crater, Virgo, Coma Berenices
Deep-sky objects
Leo hosts several bright galaxies, including the Leo Triplet (M65, M66 and NGC 3628), plus M95 and M96 in the Leo I group. The constellation lies away from the Milky Way's plane, so galaxies are visible without obscuring dust.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Leo look like?
Leo is a zodiac constellation known as the Lion, marked by the bright star Regulus and a backwards question mark of stars called the Sickle.
What is the brightest star in Leo?
The brightest star in Leo is Regulus, shining at around magnitude 1.40.
When is Leo best visible?
Leo is best seen from both hemispheres during April.
What is the story behind Leo?
In Greek myth, Leo is the Nemean Lion, a beast with an impenetrable hide that Heracles strangled as the first of his twelve labours.
Which constellations are near Leo?
Leo borders Ursa Major, Leo Minor, Lynx, Cancer, Hydra, Sextans, Crater, Virgo and Coma Berenices.
Cancer
Virgo