How to Find the Lyre Constellation

The Lyre constellation appears in the northern sky in the late summer. It can be seen best in the month of August. It is visible between 90 degrees N and 40 degrees S latitudes.

Things You'll Need

• Star map in your latitude
• Binocular

Instructions

1. Find the constellation on your star map. Lyra is near Cygnus and to the left. It lies near the horizon at the edge of the stars that are circumpolar. Hercules is to its right. Starting at Polaris, Lyra is on the other side of Draco. Take notes on positions that you'll bring with you when you scan the sky.

2. Step outside for the North Star and look to the left of Cygnus. You will see four stars shaped like a diamond with a brilliant star hanging from the end. Those five stars are Lyra.

3. Observe Vega the bright star on one of the points. Vega is visible by northern regions at some point during the night every day of the year. Though it is not circumpolar it is very close to the edge of its sphere.

Tips & Warnings

• Common coordinates for finding stars in the night sky are Declination and Right Ascension.

• Find the direction North in the night sky without a compass. It is the direction pointed to by a line drawn from your point in the sky to the North Star. The two stars that form the far end of the cup on the Big Dipper point to the North Star (Polaris).