Lupus constellation
Lupus (the Wolf) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in June. Its brightest star is α Lupi (magnitude 2.3). Lupus covers 334 square degrees and is the 46th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Lupus
Facts
| Latin name | Lupus (genitive: Lupi) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Lup |
| Meaning | the Wolf |
| Area | 334 square degrees (46th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 15.3 h, declination −43° |
| Visible from | latitudes 34° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | June (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | α Lupi |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 74 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Centaurus, Circinus, Libra, Norma, Scorpius |
How to find Lupus
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in June evenings: at about 9 pm Lupus stands highest, around 7° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the south, about 82° above the horizon. The months before and after (May and July) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Lupus borders Centaurus, Circinus, Libra, Norma and Scorpius.
Stars of Lupus
Lupus has 74 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | α Lupi | 2.3 | B1.5III/Vn | — |
| — | β Lupi | 2.68 | B2III/IV | — |
| — | γ Lupi | 2.78 | B2IV | — |
| — | δ Lupi | 3.22 | B1.5IV | — |
| — | ε Lupi | 3.37 | B2IV-V | — |
| — | ζ Lupi | 3.41 | G8III | — |
| — | η Lupi | 3.41 | B2.5IV | — |
| — | ι Lupi | 3.55 | B2.5IV | — |
| — | φ1 Lupi | 3.56 | K5III | — |
| — | κ1 Lupi | 3.87 | B9.5Vne | — |
| — | χ Lupi | 3.95 | B9IV | — |
| — | ρ Lupi | 4.05 | B5V | — |
Printable Lupus map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Lupus figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Lupus is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the Almagest (2nd century AD). Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Lupus
What is the brightest star in Lupus?
α Lupi, at magnitude 2.3.
When can you see Lupus?
Lupus is best seen in the evening in June. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 34° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Lupus?
74 stars in Lupus are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; none of them has an official IAU name.
What does Lupus mean?
Lupus means “the Wolf” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Lup and the genitive, used in star names such as α Lupi, is Lupi.
