The constellation of Lyra

CONSTELLATION OF LYRA

Name: Lyra
Abbreviation: Lyr
Meaning: Lyre
Right Ascension: 19h
Declination: +40º
Area (Degrees squared): 286
Stars with known planets: 5
Bordering Constellations: Draco, Hercules, Vulpecula, Cygnus

Visible at latitudes between +90º and -40º and best at 21.00h during August. In the northern hemisphere, the constellation of Lyra is considered a summer constellation and is visible from May to December depending on the time of night.

Lyra was one of the 48 constellations described by Ptolemy in Ancient Greece and remans one of the 88 current constellations.

Lyra

Observations
Deep Sky Objects: M56 - Globular Cluster, magnitude 8.30 M57 - Planetary Nebula, magnitude 8.80, known as the Ring Nebula NGC 6791 - Open Cluster, magnitude 9.50 Numbered Stars with Magnitudes: 1. +0.00 - Vega 2. +4.30 3. +4.20 4. +3.25 - Sulafat 5. +3.50 - Sheliak Vega (number 1), the second brightest star of the northern hemisphere (after Arcturus) and the fifth brightest star in all, is the constellation´s brightest star and one star of the summer triangle (see Aquila). Vega's role in future history is assured as it has been calculated that in some 12,000 years, owing to precession, Vega will assume the title of North Star.

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