Constellation Lynx

Lynx
Lynx: IAU Constellation Map [150]

Properties

Despite its extent, the constellation is entirely inconspicuous, with the brightest star reaching barely 3. magnitude. It lies between the more prominent constellations Ursa Maior, Auriga and Gemini. It spans an area of 545 square degrees. The centre culminates at about midnight on 20 January each year. [9, 15]

Stars with Proper Names [154]
31 Lyn Alsciaukat, Mabsuthat
Data for constellation Lynx [150]
IAU NameLynx
IAU GenitiveLyncis
IAU Abbr.Lyn
English NameLynx
Opposition17 January
Season (47° N)November … April
Right Ascension06h 16m 14s … 09h 42m 50s
Declination+32° 58' 09" … +61° 57' 51"
Area545 deg2
Neighbours (N↻)Cam, Aur, Gem, Cnc, Leo, LMi, UMa

Deep-Sky Object Descriptions

Catalogues

Constellation Lynx
Constellation Lynx: Illustration from «Prodromus Astronomiae» by Johannes Hevelius, 1690. Mirrored view from «outside of the celestial sphere» [19]

History

The constellation Lynx was introduced by Johannes Hevelius in the late 17th century to fill the gap between the more famous constellations Ursa Maior and Auriga. It is said that the name is an allusion that one would only be able to recognize the constellation with lynx eyes. [7]

References

  • [7] «Der grosse Kosmos-Himmelsführer» von Ian Ridpath und Wil Tirion; Kosmos Verlag; ISBN 3-440-05787-9
  • [9] «Drehbare Sternkarte SIRIUS» von H. Suter-Haug; Hallwag-Verlag, Bern
  • [15] «Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes» by David Malin and David J. Frew; Melbourne University Press 1995; ISBN 0-522-84553-3
  • [19] «Prodromus Astronomiae» Johannes Hevelius, 1690; DOI:10.3931/e-rara-456
  • [150] IAU: The Constellations, 11. Oktober 2020; iau.org/public/themes/constellations
  • [154] Yale Bright Star Catalog, 15. Oktober 2020; tdc-www.harvard.edu/catalogs/bsc5.html