The constellation Lyra, the Lyre (or small harp), is a small constellation but with large stature among stargazers. Here's why:
* Vega is the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere and the fourth brightest overall. It is relatively close at only 25 lys away.
* The four stars that make up the 'parallelogram' have an unexpected and beautiful symmetry that makes identifying Lyra easier. They represent the strings of the harp.
* The star Epsilon Lyrae appears to be a double star (like Alberio) under low power in a telescope. But under higher power, each member of the double is a double itself with a most remarkable symmetry. Amateur astronomers use the double-double as a test for their telescopes. We recommend you use 100x - 150x power on a night of stable skies.
* M56, a globular cluster, is a nice but dim target under dark skies. Starting at Albireo, go halfway to Sulafat and look a bit to the left (east).
* The most famous deep space object in Lyra is the Ring Nebula, or M57. It is the remains of a dying star. You've likely seen photos of it already. Check out the link below for viewing info.
Viewing Lyra, the Harp
Level
Easy
Rating
Best Viewing
June through November
Find
The easiest way to find Lyra is to first find all three stars of the Summer Triangle: Vega, Altair and Deneb. Once you have found Vega, use it to find the other stars that form the constellation. If you need help, use the link below to view Summer Constellations and then the Summer Triangle.
Try drawing Lyra with bright stars, lines and labels.
The Milky Way flows through Lyra. With binoculars, explore its multitude of stars. Take time and enjoy.
