For the autoimmune disorder see Lupus Erythematosus.
Lupus is a southern constellation. It is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 in Ptolemy's Almagest. It is between Centaurus and Scorpius.
| Lupus | |
| Abbreviation | Lup |
| Genitive | Lupi |
| Meaning in English | Wolf |
| Right ascension | 15 h |
| Declination | -43 ° |
| Visible to latitude | 35° N |
| On meridian | 9 p.m., June 20 |
| Area - Total | Ranked 46th 334 sq. deg. |
| Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3 | 3 |
| Brightest star - Apparent magnitude | Alpha Lupi 2.3 |
| Meteor showers |
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| Bordering constellations | |
| Table of contents |
|
2 Notable deep sky objects 3 History and/or Mythology |
Notable features
Lupus has no extremely bright stars but around thirty stars of second and third magnitude and 70 of greater than sixth, including a number of binary or multiple stars. The stars which make up the constellation figure have no names, the brightest is Alpha Lupi, a blue giant.
Notable deep sky objects
Towards the north of the constellation are globular clusters NGC 5824 and NGC 5986 and close by the dark nebula B 228. Two open clusters are to the south of the constellation, NGC 5822 and NGC 5749. On the western border are two spiral galaxies and the Wolf-Rayet planetary nebula IC 4406, containing some of the hottest stars in existence. Another planetary nebula, NGC 5882, is towards the centre of the constellation.
History and/or Mythology
The constellation has no clear mythology, but is sometimes associated with the tale of King Lycaon. Although known from ancient times no particular animal was associated with it until the Latin translation of Ptolemy's work. It was not separated from Centaurus until Hipparchus of Bithynia named it Therion in the 200s BCE.
