Zuben Elgenubi
HIP 72622; Alpha2 Lib; 9 Lib
Object Data
- Catalog Designation
- HIP 72622; Alpha2 Lib; 9 Lib
- Type
- DoubleStar
- Constellation
- Lib
- Magnitude
- 2.75
- Right Ascension
- 14h 50m 52.7s
- Declination
- -16° 02' 30.0"
- Distance
- 76 light-years
- HR
- 5531
- HIP
- 72622
- Bayer
- Alpha2
Survey Image
Loading survey image…
About Zuben Elgenubi
Description
Zuben Elgenubi is a wide double star system at magnitude 2.75 in Libra, the second brightest star in the constellation. A white subgiant of spectral type A3IV, located about 77 light-years from Earth. A telescope reveals a fainter companion (magnitude 5.2) about 231 arcseconds away, making it one of the widest bright double stars in the sky.
Observing Tips
Zuben Elgenubi is the more southerly of Libra's two main stars, forming the southern pan of the Scales with Zuben Elschemali to the north. The wide companion is visible in binoculars. The pair lies between Virgo and Scorpius on the ecliptic. Best observed May through July.
History
The name Zuben Elgenubi comes from the Arabic 'al-zuban al-janubi,' meaning 'the southern claw,' from when Libra's stars were considered part of Scorpius. The Romans separated them into Libra, the only zodiacal constellation representing an inanimate object.
Fun Facts
The ecliptic passes very close to Zuben Elgenubi, making it one of the most frequently occulted bright stars. The Moon and planets regularly pass over it, and it has been used to study the lunar limb profile during occultations.