SkyRef / Constellations

The Leo constellation

The Lion. Best placed in December. It straddles the celestial equator, so it is visible from essentially anywhere on Earth at the right time of year.

Where and when

Also known asthe Lion
Best monthDecember
Right ascension10.6h
Declination+15°
Line segments2

Finding it

Leo, known in English as the Lion, is centred near right ascension 10.6 hours, declination +15°. It straddles the celestial equator, so it is visible from essentially anywhere on Earth at the right time of year.

It reaches its highest point in the sky around local midnight in December, which is when it is easiest to pick out. Earlier in the year it rises before dawn; later, it is already setting in the evening.

Bright stars in this part of the sky

StarDesignationMagnitude
Regulusα Leo1.35
Zosmaδ Leo2.56
Algiebaγ¹ Leo2.61

Star patterns inside it

Not every shape people point out is a constellation. These are asterisms — patterns picked out of Leo by eye and by habit, with no official standing.

the Sickle

See it on the live map

SkyRef draws Leo in its real position for wherever you are, right now, along with the other 88 IAU figures.

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Other constellations

AndromedaAntliaApusAquariusAquilaAraAriesAurigaBoötesCaelumCamelopardalisCancerCanes VenaticiCanis MajorCanis MinorCapricornusCarinaCassiopeiaCentaurusCepheusCetusChamaeleonCircinusColumbaComa BerenicesCorona AustrinaCorona BorealisCorvusCraterCruxCygnusDelphinusDoradoDracoEquuleusEridanusFornaxGeminiGrusHercules