Leo Minor constellation
Leo Minor (the Lesser Lion) is a constellation in the northern sky, best seen in the evening in April. Its brightest star is Praecipua (magnitude 3.83). Leo Minor covers 232 square degrees and is the 64th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Leo Minor
Facts
| Latin name | Leo Minor (genitive: Leonis Minoris) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | LMi |
| Meaning | the Lesser Lion |
| Area | 232 square degrees (64th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 10.3 h, declination +33° |
| Visible from | latitudes 90° N to 49° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | April (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Praecipua |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 22 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 1 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Leo, Lynx, Ursa Major |
How to find Leo Minor
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in April evenings: at about 9 pm Leo Minor stands highest, around 83° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 22° above the horizon. The months before and after (March and May) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Leo Minor borders Leo, Lynx and Ursa Major.
Stars of Leo Minor
Leo Minor has 22 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Praecipua | 46 Leonis Minoris | 3.83 | K0+III-IV | 104 ly |
| — | β Leonis Minoris | 4.21 | G9IIIab | — |
| — | 21 Leonis Minoris | 4.48 | A7V | — |
Printable Leo Minor map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Leo Minor figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Leo Minor is introduced by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in 1690. Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Leo Minor
What is the brightest star in Leo Minor?
Praecipua, at magnitude 3.83, about 104 light-years away.
When can you see Leo Minor?
Leo Minor is best seen in the evening in April. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 90° N and 49° S.
How many stars are in Leo Minor?
22 stars in Leo Minor are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 1 of them have official IAU names.
What does Leo Minor mean?
Leo Minor means “the Lesser Lion” in Latin. Its abbreviation is LMi and the genitive, used in star names such as β Leonis Minoris, is Leonis Minoris.
