R Leonis, in the constellation of Leo the lion, reaches maximum this month.
R Leonis, a long-period variable, easily found near the bright star Regulus will reach maximum brightness this month. Like all long period variables, R Leonis is a red giant star and the variations in brightness are due to pulsations in the star’s outer layers.
R Leonis has an extreme range of 4.8 – 11.0, but a more usual range is 5.4 – 10.5. The exact behaviour of the star is never the same from one cycle of variation to the next. R Leonis is currently visible in binoculars and it will be interesting to see just how bright it becomes over the next few weeks.
Below is a light curve produced by Tracie Haywood showing the behaviour of R Leonis last year.
