Lupus - The Wolf

Learn about the constellation Lupus - The Wolf, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

Lupus is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 in Ptolemy's Almagest. It is between Centaurus and Scorpius.

Location: Southern Constellation 15h RA -43° Dec

Towards the north of the constellation are globular clusters NGC 5824 and NGC 5986, and close by the dark nebula B 228. Two open clusters are to the south of the constellation, NGC 5822 and NGC 5749. On the western border are two spiral galaxies and the Wolf-Rayet planetary nebula IC 4406, containing some of the hottest stars in existence.

Lupus Mythology

The constellation has no clear mythology but is sometimes associated with the tale of King Lycaon. Although known from ancient times no particular animal was associated with it until the Latin translation of Ptolemy's work identified it with the wolf.

Lupus Deep Space Objects