Lynx - The Lynx

It is so named because it is a relatively faint constellation, and one would supposedly need the eyes of a lynx to see it.

Location: Northern Winter 8h RA 45° Dec

Lynx is a constellation named after the animal, usually observed in the Northern Celestial Hemisphere. The constellation was introduced in the late 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. It is a faint constellation, with its brightest stars forming a zigzag line.

Mythology

Since Lynx is a particularly faint constellation, and was not recognised before the 17th century, it has no pre 17th century mythology associated with it. Johannes Hevelius is said to have named the constellation lynx because only the lynx-eyed (or those of good sight) would have been able to recognise it. Hevelius only mapped the constellation, which is little more than a few dim stars zig zagging in a line, because he wanted to fill the open gap between the constellations Ursa Major and Auriga.

Deep Space Objects

Lynx's most notable deep sky object is NGC 2419, also called the "Intergalactic Wanderer" as it was assumed to lie outside the Milky Way.