Name a Star in the Lupus Constellation

Lupus, the Wolf, is a constellation located in the southern hemisphere, near the constellations of Centaurus, Circinus, Hydra, Libra, Norma and Scorpius. As one of Ptolemy’s original 48 constellations, it is more well-known than some others in the southern hemisphere. According to one fable, this constellation Lupus is Lycaon, King of Arcadia. He lived about 3,600 years ago and was changed into a wolf by Jupiter (Zeus) because he offered human victims on the altars of the God Pan. This constellation was known as the “Mad Dog” to the Babylonians. 

One of the most notable stars in Lupus is “Alpha Lupi,” which is a blue-white giant star located approximately 460 light-years from Earth. Alpha Lupi has a magnitude of 2.3, making it the the brightest star in the constellation. It can be located from the southern hemisphere to as far north as the Canary Islands. Another interesting star in Lupus is the variable star”Beta Lupi,” which is a blue-white giant star located approximately 383 light-years from Earth. Beta Lupi is close to supernova remnant SN 1006.  In addition to these stars, Lupus also contains several notable deep-sky objects. One of these objects is NGC 5986, a globular cluster that contains two bright A-F class stars. Another deep-sky object in Lupus is IC 4406, also called the Retina Nebula. Locating this bipolar nebula on the western border of the constellation will reveal a remarkable oblong shape. The shape is unique in that the two sides appear to mirror one another.   

We are all awestruck by the beauty of the stars. For those looking for a unique and meaningful gift, International Star Registry offers the opportunity to name a star in honor of a special occasion. As a 25th birthday gift idea, you could buy a star gift for a loved one. Their name will be recorded for eternity in Your Place in the Cosmos, the only permanent published catalog of named stars in the world.  

You will receive the same famous Star Registry certificate that hangs in thousands of homes worldwide, personalized with the recipient’s name and the telescopic coordinates of the star. You will also receive a customized star chart with the star’s location indicated.

Symbol: Lup 

Right Ascension : 03:13 

Declination: -43 

Diameter (°): 14 

Area (square °): 334 

Opposition: May 11 

Size Rank: 46th 

Brightness Rank: 29th 

Genitive: Lupi 

Major Stars 

α Lupi (Alpha Lupi) 

β Lupi (Beta Lupi) 

γ Lupi (Gamma Lupi) 

δ Lupi (Delta Lupi) 

ε Lupi (Epsilon Lupi) 

ζ Lupi (Zeta Lupi) 

η Lupi (Eta Lupi) 

ι Lupi (Iota Lupi) 

φ Lupi (Phi Lupi) 

π Lupi (Pi Lupi) 

KT Lupi (114 G. Lupi) 

τ Lupi (Tau Lupi) 

1 Lupi 

ν Lupi (Nu Lupi) 

GQ Lupi 

RU Lupi 

Lupus-TR-3 

Deep Sky Objects 

NGC 5986 

Retina Nebula – IC 4406 

NGC 5822 

NGC 5824 

NGC 5749 

NGC 5882 

NGC 5927

In conclusion, Lupus is a fascinating constellation just south of Libra and Centaurus in the night sky. There, you’ll find many beautiful bright stars and fascinating deep sky objects.