For other uses, see Lyra (disambiguation).
Lyra
Constellation
List of stars in Lyra
Abbreviation Lyr
Genitive Lyrae
Pronunciation /ˈlaɪərə/, genitive /ˈlaɪəriː/
Symbolism Lyre, harp
Right ascension 19
Declination +40
Family Hercules
Quadrant NQ4
Area 286 sq. deg. (52nd)
Main stars 5
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars 25
Stars with planets 62
Stars brighter than 3.00m 1
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) 3
Brightest star Vega (α Lyr) (0.03m)
Nearest star 2MASS J18353790+3259545
(18.51 ly, 5.67 pc)
Messier objects 2
Meteor showers Lyrids
June Lyrids
Alpha Lyrids
Bordering
constellations Draco
Hercules
Vulpecula
Cygnus
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −40°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of August.
[1]
Lyra (/ˈlaɪərə/; Latin for lyre, from Greek λύρα)[2] is a small constellation. It is one of 48 listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Its principal star, Vega (Abhijit in Sanskrit), a corner of the Summer Triangle, is one of the brightest stars in the sky. Beginning at the north, Lyra is bordered by Draco, Hercules, Vulpecula, and Cygnus.[3]
Lyra is visible from the northern hemisphere from spring through autumn, and nearly overhead, in temperate latitudes, during the summer months. From the southern hemisphere, it is visible low in the northern sky during the winter months.[citation needed]
Contents
Notable features
Stars
Deep-sky objects
Exoplanets
History
Mythology
Equivalents in other astronomical systems
In History
In popular culture
Namesakes
Citations
