miércoles, 21 de diciembre de 2011

libra



This constellation is also known as the balance, symbol, Unicode ), is the seventh constellation of the zodiac in the sky.

The Romans invented Libra and gave it importance as a constellation of the Zodiac. Libra was “the Scales of Justice” held by Julius Caesar. Later the scales became associated with Virgo, the Goddess of Justice. The Romans choose a scale because when the zodiac was still in its infancy, some four thousand years ago, the sun passed through this constellation at the autumnal equinox (September 21). That is, day and night were of equal length, and the day would begin to lengthen from that day on. However, the ancient Greeks did not recognize Libra. Instead, they saw it as part of Scorpio. Libra made up the two claws of the scorpion. As a symbol for equality, the constellation came to represent Justice in several middle Eastern cultures.



 If you want to locate this constellatio follow these instructions:

1. Pick a dark and crystal clear night in late spring or early summer in the northern hemisphere. There are no bright stars whatsoever in this constellation, making it hard to find and identify under the best of circumstances.

2.  Find the scorpion of the skies to locate Libra. The constellation Scorpius is used as a guide to find Libra. Containing the red giant star Antares, Scorpius hangs close to the horizon and resembles a scorpion. Libra was part of Scorpius until early Roman astronomers took the “scorpion’s claws” and grouped them into the scales instead. Once you find Scorpius, look to the right of it--this is the area where Libra is.

3.  Look for a triangle of dim stars. This is the upper part of the scales that connects the two balances. It is tilted on its side with the longest side of the triangle facing Scorpius, which would be to Libra's left. Remember, the scales aren’t hanging straight down but off to the left.
4.  Imagine the two scales hanging off the triangle at an angle. The rest of Libra’s stars are even fainter than the ones that make up the triangle. They extend outward from two of the stars on the triangle’s base. There are three stars that comprise one of the scales on the upper part and two that make up the scales on the lower one.

if you can not find it do not give up, after all  Libra the Scales is one of the hardest of the Zodiac constellations to find for the novice stargazer!








1 comentario:

  1. I like very much this information about Libra! thanks for puting this in the blog :D

    Beautiful image of background. :)

    Geraldine Rojas Valdivieso 3ºD

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