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Lynx

The Lynx

Constellation of the northern sky

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GenitiveLyncis
AbbreviationLyn
Constellation FamilyUrsa Major
Celestial QuadrantNQ2
Right Ascension06h16 to 09h43
Declination+33.0° to +62.0°
Area (sq deg)545
Brightest StarAlpha Lyncis
Optimum VisibilityJanuary (Usually visible from northern latitudes)
NotesLynx describes a faint area of sky between Ursa Major and Auriga. Its brightest star, Alpha Lyncis, is only magnitude +3.2, and few of its other stars exceed fifth magnitude. Indeed, its deviser Hevelius chose the name Lynx because an observer would need the eyesight of that animal to detect the constellation.
Map of Lynx Map of Lynx
Relative Galactic Position of Lynx

Lynx looks outward and 'upward' from the galactic disc of the Milky Way, out into intergalactic space.

This unremarkable constellation was first described by Hevelius in 1690. Because part of this star group originally belonged to Ursa Major, Lynx has 'inherited' one of that constellation's stars - 10 Ursae Majoris actually lies within the boundaries of the Lynx.

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