Star profile

Kappa Librae

3D likeness based on its real data · class K · ~4,200 K

What is Kappa Librae

Kappa Librae is an orange type-K giant in the Scales, the only zodiacal constellation that depicts no living being. Its amber tone reflects a cooler-than-solar temperature and an outer envelope swollen by age. Libra was carved out of the Scorpion's claws in Roman times, introducing the notions of balance and justice into the procession of the zodiac.

Where it is and when to see it

Kappa Librae lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is May, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 19° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 30° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 76° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 70° N.

It ranks no. 11 in brightness among the 49 stars of Libra in our catalogue. To find it, start from Zubeneschamali, the brightest: it lies about 12° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 310 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Kappa Librae

Constellation: Libra
Apparent magnitude: 4.75
Distance: 308.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 235.487° · Dec -19.679°
Catalogue: HIP 76880 · HD 139997

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Other stars in Libra

Libra has 49 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 49 stars in Libra