Leo's indomitable presence dominates spring skies

As night falls over the northern hemisphere this spring, one constellation stands out in stunning clarity: the mighty Leo. Its unmistakable outline, resembling the majestic creature it represents, commands the evening sky.

The lion's unmistakable form

Looking south from London on April 27th at 10pm BST, Leo's profile is breathtaking. The constellation's distinctive 'backwards' question mark, known to astronomers as the 'sickle' asterism, forms the lion's fearsome head.

Recognized since antiquity, Leo has been associated with the lion figure in various cultures. The ancient Mesopotamians linked it to the lion ridden by the goddess Ishtar, while the Egyptians saw it as a sign of the annual Nile River flooding. In Greek mythology, Leo represents the beast slain by Heracles as the first of his 12 labors.

Regulus shines bright

The constellation's brightest star, Regulus, is a dazzling blue-white gem that sits almost exactly on the ecliptic - the sun, moon and planets' path across the sky. From the southern hemisphere, Leo is visible in the northern sky, a constant reminder of the untamed power depicted in this enduring celestial icon.