Constellation · Lyr
Lyra
The Lyre
Home of Vega, one of the brightest stars in the northern sky and a corner of the Summer Triangle, and the Ring Nebula (M57).
Magnitude 0.03
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (summer in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Lyra
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Vega (Alpha Lyrae)mag 0.03
- Sulafat (Gamma Lyrae)mag 3.25
- Sheliak (Beta Lyrae)mag 3.52
- Nasr Alwaki (Zeta¹ Lyrae)mag 4.34
- Aladfar (Eta Lyrae)mag 4.43
- Double Double (Epsilon¹ Lyrae)mag 4.67
Can you see Lyra from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Lyra |
|---|---|
| 60°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
Questions about Lyra
When is Lyra best seen?
Lyra stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in August. That makes summer evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Lyra?
The brightest star in Lyra is Vega (Alpha Lyrae), magnitude 0.03.
Where on Earth can you see Lyra?
The whole of Lyra can be seen from latitudes between about 42°S and 90°N. From 40°N: The whole constellation rises and sets. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Lyra mean?
Lyra is Latin for "the Lyre". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).