Lyra - The Lyre

Learn about the constellation Lyra - The Lyre, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

Lyra is a small constellation, but its principal star, Vega, is one of the brightest in the sky. Vega forms a vertex of the Summer Triangle asterism.

Location: Northern Summer 19h RA 40° Dec

Beginning at the north, Lyra is surrounded by the Dragon Draco, the Greek hero Hercules, the Little Fox Vulpecula and Cygnus the swan.

Mythology

Lyra was considered to be the lyre used by Orpheus to produce music that charmed even Hades, and which was placed into the stars upon his death.

Deep Space Objects

Lyra is home to several deep space objects including M57, also known as the "Ring Nebula" and NGC 6720.

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.