In like a lion, out like a lamb
“In like a lion and out like a lamb” an old weather proverb with astronomical origins nicely describes our night sky this month. At nightfall, we find the dim constellation Aries, the ram or lamb, close to setting above the western horizon. To the east, the constellation Leo is just starting its seasonal reign bringing us warmer evenings and later sun down times. The sky in the direction of Leo harbors a number of bright stars, interesting spiral galaxies.
Leo’s history dates back to ancient times. Seeking relief from the late summer desert heat, lions would begin their journey to the banks of the flooding Nile river. This annual cycle of flood waters was a bountiful time for Egyptians encouraging them to place great importance on feline deities. In Greek mythology, Leo is associated with the Nemean lion slain by Hercules as the first of his twelve labors. To ancient Babylonians, the Sun’s position in the stars of Leo during summer solstice assigned an ominous significance to this part of the sky. Inscribed upon a Babylonian tablet were the following words “If the star of the Great Lion is gloomy the heart of the people will not rejoice.”
Leo is one constellation that actually resembles its namesake. In the evening hours, look for this celestial cat by first turning toward the east and locating a backward question mark or sickle shape. Try to imagine that outline of stars as a profile view of the lion’s mane. At the base of the hook, you will find the Leo’s brightest star, the first magnitude and multiple star system Alpha Leonis, also known as Regulus. In the Arabic, the star is known as Qalb Al Asad meaning ‘heart of the lion’.
The name Regulus is derived from Latin for ‘little king’; quite fitting for this regal feline. The starlight you see from Regulus is about 77 years old, a number equal to its distance in light years. And, because it lies right along the ecliptic, or path of the Sun and plane of the solar system, Regulus is often occulted, or covered up, by the Moon. Continuing toward the east, follow the rectangular body of the cat to the hindquarters, a right-angled triangle ending with the bright star, Denebola. I imagine Leo as a cat perched on a window sill. See if you agree.
