Lyra

Lyra (Latin for 'lyre', from Ancient Greek: λύρα; pronounced: /ˈlaɪrə/ LY-rə) is a small constellation. It is one of the 48 listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and is one of the modern 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Lyra was often shown as a vulture or an eagle carrying a lyre.

Lyra is located between Draco, Hercules, Vulpecula, and Cygnus. It can be seen high in the sky in northern areas after midnight in early summer. From the equator to about the 40th parallel south, it is visible low in the sky during winter.

One of the most famous features of Lyra is Vega, its brightest star. Vega is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and is part of the Summer Triangle asterism. The constellation also includes Beta Lyrae, a pair of stars that orbit each other closely, and Epsilon Lyrae, known as the Double Double, a group of stars. Lyra is also home to the Ring Nebula, a well-known planetary nebula.

History

In Greek mythology, Lyra represents the lyre of Orpheus. Orpheus was a musician whose music could charm even rocks. He joined Jason and the Argonauts to help them travel safely.

Orpheus married Eurydice, a nymph. She died from a snake bite. Orpheus used his music to ask Hades, the god of the Underworld, to let her live again. But Orpheus looked back before they were safe, and she could not return.

After Orpheus died, his lyre was placed in the sky by Zeus. Different cultures see the stars of Lyra in many ways. For example, the Arabs saw it as a vulture or an eagle, and in Wales it was called King Arthur's Harp.

Characteristics

The constellation Lyra is found in the northern sky. You can see it best in summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the constellations Vulpecula, Hercules, Draco, and Cygnus. Lyra covers an area of 286.5 square degrees. This makes it the 52nd largest of the 88 modern constellations. The main pattern of stars in Lyra, called an asterism, includes six stars. There are 73 stars in Lyra that are bright enough to be seen without a telescope. The International Astronomical Union shortened the name to the three-letter code "Lyr".

Features

The constellation Lyra is small. The astronomer Ptolemy listed it in the 2nd century. Today, it is one of the 88 modern constellations. It is often shown as a vulture or eagle carrying a lyre. It is sometimes called Vultur Cadens or Aquila Cadens, meaning "Falling Vulture" or "Falling Eagle."

Lyra has several well-known stars. The brightest is Vega, also called Alpha Lyrae. Vega is very bright and was close to being the North Star. It is part of the Summer Triangle along with Altair and Deneb. Other stars in Lyra include Sheliak (Beta Lyrae), a binary star system, and Sulafat (Gamma Lyrae), a blue giant. The constellation also has many variable stars, such as R Lyrae and RR Lyrae. These stars change in brightness over time.