Lyra constellation
Lyra is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the lyre. It is highest in the sky at midnight around July 5, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 51°S.
Lyra at a glance
- Represents
- the lyre
- Highest at midnight
- July 5
- Highest at 9 pm
- August 18
- Seen whole from
- 90°N to 51°S
- Brightest star
- Vega
- Stars in the figure
- 5 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
When to see Lyra
Lyra is highest in the sky at midnight around July 5 and at 9 pm around August 18. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 11:10 a.m. |
| February 15 | 9:10 a.m. |
| March 15 | 7:20 a.m. |
| April 15 | 5:20 a.m. |
| May 15 | 3:20 a.m. |
| June 15 | 1:20 a.m. |
| July 15 | 11:10 p.m. |
| August 15 | 9:10 p.m. |
| September 15 | 7:10 p.m. |
| October 15 | 5:10 p.m. |
| November 15 | 3:10 p.m. |
| December 15 | 1:10 p.m. |
Where to look for Lyra
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Lyra rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on July 5, almost overhead.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Lyra rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on July 5, 19° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Lyra
| Star | Magnitude |
|---|---|
| Vega | 0.03 |
Meteor showers from Lyra
The meteors of these showers seem to come from a point in Lyra, called the radiant.
| Shower | Peak | Zenithal hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Lyrids | Around April 22 | 18 |
Lyra in myth and history
The lyre is the one that the god Hermes made from a tortoise shell and that the musician Orpheus played in Greek myth.
Lyra is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Constellations next to Lyra
Find Lyra in your sky
Questions about Lyra
Lyra is highest in the sky at midnight around July 5 and at 9 pm around August 18. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Lyra rises above the horizon from 90°N to 51°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 57°S.
Vega is the brightest star in Lyra, at magnitude 0.03.
Lyra represents the lyre. Lyra is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.