The constellation of Leo, found in the early spring skies, is one of the few constellations that actually looks a bit like its namesake - a Lion. Leo lies south of Ursa Major (the Great Bear). It is a fairly compact constellation and, unlike so many other constellations, it is easily recognised. It contains many objects, primarily open clusters, the most famous of which is The Pleiades. Another cluster, The Hyades, forms the head of the bull. The Crab Nebula with its bright center and ragged edges is a left-over from a supernova. History Alpha Leonis is named "Regulus" because it was seen as the Heaven's Guardian, one who regulated all things in the heavens. While the name Regulus was given us by Copernicus, the star was better known in antiquity as Cor Leonis, the Lion's Heart. Regulus is a multiple binary. The star Regulus is at the base of a sickle that forms Leo's head. It has also been called the "regulator" of heaven. It marks the heart of the great lion in the sky, giving celestial creature life, and its association with the Sun moving through the zodiac was thought to regulate the seasons. Astrologers from antiquity on, have regarded it as regulating affairs on earth as well as ruling the heavens. For Persians it was one of four Guardian stars of Heaven. Regulus has been called the "Royal Star," and "Kingly Star," being associated in many ways with kings on earth. Thus, both the star and its constellation became a cherished symbol of royalty. Leo's triangular shaped tail ends with the bright star Denebola. The name "Denebola" like so many others is Arabic in origin and is a corruption of "Al-dhanab-al-Asad" which means the Lion's tail. Mythology There are many myths about Leo one of the more common ones is that Leo is the Nemean lion which Hercules had to kill as the first of his 12 Labours. This fearsome beast terrorised the land, killing all who ventured near it. Not only was it more fierce, larger and stronger than other lions, but it also had the added advantage of possessing a skin which was impervious to metal, stone and wood. Since, for this reason, Hercules could not kill the lion with any weapon, he wrestled it with his bare hands, and finally managed to strangle the animal. Seeing at once the unique protective qualities of the pelt, he removed it with one of the lion’s own claws, and thereafter wore it as a cloak. Astrology The Western astrological sign Leo of the tropical zodiac (July 24 - August 23) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (August 10 - September 15). In some cosmologies, Leo is associated with the classical element Fire, and thus called a Fire Sign (with Aries and Sagittarius). Leo is also one of the Fixed signs (along with Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius). It is the domicile of the Sun. The Egyptian pharaoh Nechepso, and his priest Petosiris, taught that at the creation of the world the Sun rose here near Denebola, and hence Leo was Domicilium Solis, the emblem of fire and heat, and the "House of the Sun". Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Leo rules the heart and spine.