Lyra Constellation – Things To Know About The Constellation
LYRA CONSTELLATION – In this topic, we are going to know and learn things about the constellation called the Lyra.
It is a small constellation which is one of the 48 listed by the astronomer Ptolemy. Lyra lies in the northern sky.
Constellation Guide says that it represents a stringed musical instrument called lyre, which is used in antiquity and later times.
It is also associated with the Orpheus, a Greek musician and poet of Greek mythology.
The 52nd smallest constellation occupies an area of 286 square degrees. Its location is in the fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere and can be seen at latitudes between +90° and -40°.
Nearby constellations include:
- Cygnus
- Draco
- Hercules
- Vulpecula
- Vega – α Lyrae (Alpha Lyrae)
- The fifth brightest star in the sky and the brightest in the constellation.
- Sulafat – γ Lyrae (Gamma Lyrae)
- The second brightest star in the constellation. It is a blue giant which belongs to the spectral class B9 III.
- Sheliak –β Lyrae (Beta Lyrae)
- A double star system. Its name is derived from the Arabic name šiliyāq.
- R Lyrae
- A red giant under the stellar classification of M5III.
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