Transcript 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.
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
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Libra, Born September 23 - October 22
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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.
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來源：
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libra_(constell
ation)