Regulus is Alpha Leonis, a bright star of the Lion. Its modern tropical longitude is near a sign boundary, which makes undated claims about “Leo” or “Virgo” particularly ambiguous. Precession changes the coordinate label over centuries while the named star remains the same object.
| IAU name | Regulus |
|---|---|
| Designation | Alpha Leonis · HR 3982 |
| Constellation | Leo |
| Visual magnitude in IAU table | 1.36 |
| J2000 right ascension | 152.092962° |
| J2000 declination | 11.967209° |
| Tropical longitude on 1 Jan 2026 | 0.19° Virgo |
| Ecliptic latitude on 1 Jan 2026 | 0.47° |
Reading the coordinates
At the stated 2026 reference instant, the projected tropical position is 0.19° Virgo, with ecliptic latitude 0.47°. Its latitude is comparatively modest. Even here, a matching longitude is a one-dimensional test: check the exact orb and the full sky angle before describing the alignment.
Right ascension and declination locate Regulus on an equatorial sky map; the tropical position rotates and projects that J2000 direction into a dated ecliptic frame. Precession changes the printed zodiac longitude over centuries. It does not move the star from Leo to a different astronomical constellation. This is why an undated “fixed degree” should be checked against its source.
A useful research question
Which date and zodiac definition produced the degree quoted in a source? A clear answer identifies the named star, the date, and the method of comparison. Ptolemy’s surviving astrological discussion groups stars by constellation figure and assigns symbolic qualities; it is a historical text, not a measured guide to personal outcomes.
Test a recorded birth moment →
Position calculation
The IAU table identifies the named star and gives its right ascension and declination at J2000. Astronomy Engine rotates that direction to the true ecliptic and equinox of a chosen date. The displayed tropical longitude is the angle around the ecliptic; latitude records how far above or below that plane the star lies. The reference date on this page is 1 January 2026 at 12:00 UTC.
The calculation does not propagate individual stellar proper motion, parallax, or perspective effects. It is intended for modern reference dates, not ancient reconstructions. A planet sharing a projected longitude with a star can still be far away on the sky. The chart locator shows that full angular separation and limits automatic matches to stars within 40° of the ecliptic.