Libra (constellation)

This article is about the constellation. For other uses, see Libra (disambiguation).

Libra is a constellation of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for weighing scales, and its symbol is (Unicode ♎). It is fairly faint, with no first magnitude stars, and lies between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east.

Notable features

The brightest stars in Libra form a quadrangle: α Librae, Zubenelgenubi ("southern claw"), a visual binary; β Librae, Zubeneschamali ("northern claw"); γ Librae, Zubenelakrab ("scorpion's claw"); σ Librae, Brachium, an eclipsing variable. σ Librae was formerly known as γ Scorpii despite being

well inside the boundaries of Libra. It was not redesignated as σ Librae until 1851 (by Benjamin A. Gould).

Planetary system

Libra is home to the star Gliese 581, which has a planetary system consisting of at least 6 planets, including Gliese 581 g, the best candidate planet for human habitability and extra-solar life yet discovered,[1] Gliese 581 c, the first Earth-like extrasolar planet to be found within its parent star's habitable zone, Gliese 581 d, discovered in 2007 to be another Earth-like planet, and Gliese 581 e, the smallest mass exoplanet orbiting a normal star,[2] all of which are of significance for establishing the likelihood of life outside of the Solar System.[3] The family of candidate habitable planets was extended in late September 2010 to include Gliese 581 g, a tidally locked planet in the middle of the habitable zone, and currently the most likely discovered exoplanet to be capable of supporting life.

History and mythology The constellation of the Scales (in Babylonian MUL Zibanu)

were known in Babylonia where it is used as an alternative name for the Claws of the Scorpion. The Scales were held sacred to the Sun God Shamash, who was also the patron of truth and justice.[5] Since these times, Libra has been represented intrinsically with law, fairness and civility, as the scales were commonplace in the livelihood of the people, throughout the ages. The symbol for Libra is the Scales, making it the only zodiac sign of which the symbol is not a living creature. In Roman mythology, Libra is considered to depict the scales held by Astraea (identified as Virgo), the goddess of justice.

In Arabic zubānā means "scorpion's claws", and likely similarly in other Semitic languages: this resemblance of words may be why the Scorpion's claws became the Scales.

心得： They are naturally refined and neat. Libra has a strong sense of good taste and a desire for

peace. Attractive surroundings are necessary for peace of mind. Libra is very fair and just and tried to maintain a proper

balance. Manners and other niceties are important to Libra.

Mythology and history of Libra  Libra, Born September 23 - October 22

In Greek mythology, Astraea ("star-maiden") was a daughter of Zeus and Themis or of Eos and Astraeus. She and her mother were both personifications of justice. Astraea was the last of the immortals to live with humans during the Golden Age. As mankind became wicked, she was the last to stay on earth, ascending to heaven to become the constellation Virgo; the scales of justice she carried became the nearby constellation Libra.

來源： http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libra_(constellation)