Constellation of Leo

The constellation of Leo is one of the 13 constellations of the zodiac that the Sun passes through every year. It is between the constellation of Virgo to its left and Cancer to its right. The two main stars in this constellation are Regulus and Denebola. There are two associated meteor showers , the delta-Leonids, active from 15 February to 10 March , and the Leonids, active from 10 to 23 November.

In Greek mythology this constellation represented the Nemean lion that came from the Moon on a comet. It was invincible and terrorised the population of the Nemea valley. It was Hercules who strangled it with his bare hands in the first of his twelve labours. Hercules took its skin to dress himself and was thereby protected from enemy arrows. When Hercules died, he was sent to heaven with the lion where they formed two neighbouring constellations.

Look out for:

No fewer than five beautiful galaxies in the Messier catalogue can be seen in this constellation. These are M 65, M 66, M 95, M 96 and M 105.