Alpha Librae is also known as Zubenelgenubi, a derivation of an older Arabic name that translates into "Southern Claw" (i.e. of the Scorpion). The star is a wide binary of unequal stars (see below).
[5064]-[5048] alpha Librae, also known as Zubenelgenubi ("southern claw") and Kiffa Australis ("southern pan" of the scales), is the second brightest star in the constellation. It is binary star lying about 77 light-years from the Sun.
Zubenelgenubi = Alpha Librae Zubeneschamali = Beta Librae Iota Lib = Iota Librae Zubenhakrabi = Sigma Librae 23 Lib = 23 Librae # 48 Lib = 48 Librae ...
Libra's brightest star, second-magnitude Alpha Librae, is called Zubenelgenubi from the Arabic meaning ‘the southern claw', a reminder of the Greek identification of this constellation with the claws of the scorpion.
The star beta Librae, of third magnitude, represents the top of the balance. The stars gamma Librae and alpha Librae represent the balance beam: alpha Librae being of third magnitude as well.
See also: Sun, Magnitude, Zubenelgenubi, Earth, Light Year
|