IAU Chart
NOIRLab Images
Stars and Sticks| Abbreviation | Lib |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Scales |
| Pronunciation Guide is based on “Pronouncing Astronomical Names,” published in 1943 by the American Astronomical Society. | LEE-bruh |
| Genitive The genitive is the Latin possessive form used in star names. For example, Alpha Orionis means “the Alpha of Orion.” | LYE-bree |
| Best Month | June |
| Visibility | Global |
| Origin | AncientThese figures are rooted in the classical Greek and Mesopotamian traditions cataloged by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. |
| Author | PtolemyPtolemy, a 2nd-century Greco-Egyptian astronomer, cataloged the 48 classical constellations in his landmark work, the Almagest. These form the core of the 88 modern constellations recognized today. |
| Type | constellation |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Description | The Scales of Justice are unique among the zodiac constellations as the only one representing an inanimate object rather than a living creature. In antiquity its stars were considered to form the claws of the neighboring Scorpion — its two brightest stars retain this in their names: Zubenelgenubi ('the southern claw') and Zubeneschamali ('the northern claw') in Arabic. The Romans associated the scales with Astraea, goddess of justice whose neighboring Virgo also represents. Libra was the location of the Autumnal Equinox in ancient Roman times. Zubeneschamali (Beta Librae) is the only star widely reported to appear distinctly greenish to the naked eye — a perception debated among astronomers. |
Click a thumbnail to view full-size. Plain and Annotated versions available on the image page.
Monthly sky charts courtesy of What's Out Tonight? — Copyright ©2026 Ken Graun. Star charts are optimized for mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Click a chart to view or download the PDF. For guidance on using the chart, or to purchase a planisphere and astronomy books, visit kenpress.com.
Images: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/E. Slawik · IAU and Sky & Telescope · Stellarium — Full credits →
