Lynx (constellation)
| Constellation | |
 List of stars in Lynx |
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| Abbreviation | Lyn |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Lyncis |
| Pronunciation | /ˈlɪŋks/, genitive /ˈlɪnsɨs/ |
| Symbolism | the Lynx |
| Right ascension | 8 h |
| Declination | +45° |
| Quadrant | NQ2 |
| Area | 545 sq. deg. (28th) |
| Main stars | 4 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars |
42 |
| Stars with planets | 5 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 0 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 1 |
| Brightest star | α Lyn (3.14m) |
| Nearest star | LHS 1963 (26.62 ly, 8.16 pc) |
| Messier objects | 0 |
| Meteor showers | ????? ????? |
| Bordering constellations |
Ursa Major Camelopardalis Auriga Gemini Cancer Leo (corner) Leo Minor |
| Visible at latitudes between +90° and −55°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of March. |
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Lynx is a constellation in the northern sky, introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. It is named after the lynx, a genus of cat. It is a very faint constellation; its brightest stars form a zigzag line.
Contents |
[edit] History
Johannes Hevelius defined the constellation in the 17th century because he wanted to fill the open gap between the constellations Ursa Major and Auriga. He supposedly named it Lynx because of its faintness: only the lynx-eyed (or those of good sight) would have been able to recognise it.
[edit] Notable features
The only named star in this constellation is Alsciaukat (from the Arabic for thorn), also known as 31 Lyncis, or κ Lyncis.
Lynx's most notable deep sky object is the Intergalactic Tramp NGC 2419, a globular cluster that is one of the most distant known of its kind, and appears to be in a long elliptical orbit around our galaxy, with one rotation taking three billion years. This constellation also contains, close to the border with Cancer, the galaxy NGC 2683.
[edit] Namesakes
Lynx has been used for the name of four United States Navy ships: USS Lynx (1814), USS Lynx (SP-2), USS Lynx (AK-100) and USS Lynx II (SP-730), of which only USS Lynx (AK-100) was named for the constellation.
[edit] References
- Universe: The Definitive Visual Dictionary, Robert Dinwiddie et al., DK Adult Publishing, (2005), pg. 346.
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
- Ferris, Timothy. Seeing in the Dark. 2002. p. 244
[edit] External links
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