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°. |
|
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 |
History [edit]
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 recognize it.
Notable features [edit]
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, also called the "Intergalactic Wanderer", a globular cluster that is one of the most distant known of its kind at a distance of 300,000 light-years from Earth. It is likely that NGC 2419 is in a highly elliptical orbit around the Milky Way. It has a magnitude of 10.3 and is a Shapley class II cluster; the classification indicates that it is extremely concentrated at its center. Originally thought to be a star, NGC 2419 was discovered to be a globular cluster by Carl Lampland.[1]
Namesakes [edit]
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.
References [edit]
- Universe: The Definitive Visual Dictionary, Robert Dinwiddie et al., DK Adult Publishing, (2005), pg. 346.
- Levy, David H. (2005). Deep Sky Objects. Prometheus Books. ISBN 1-59102-361-0.
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0-00-725120-9. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0-691-13556-4.
- Ferris, Timothy. Seeing in the Dark. 2002. p. 244
External links [edit]
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