Lynx (constellation)

Infobox Constellation
name = Lynx
abbreviation = Lyn
genitive = Lyncis
symbology = the Lynx
RA = 8
dec= +45
areatotal = 545
arearank = 28th
numbermainstars = 4
numberbfstars = 42
numberstarsplanets = 6
numberbrightstars = 0
numbernearbystars = 0
brighteststarname = α Lyn
starmagnitude = 3.14
neareststarname = HD 55575
stardistance = 55
numbermessierobjects = 0 | meteorshowers =?????
?????
bordering =Ursa Major
Camelopardalis
Auriga
Gemini
Cancer
Leo (corner)
Leo Minor
latmax = 90
latmin = 55
month = March
notes=

Lynx (IPAEng|ˈlɪŋks) is a constellation of the northern hemisphere, introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. It is so named because it is a relatively faint constellation, and one would supposedly need the eyes of a lynx to see it.

Its most notable deep sky object is the Intergalactic Tramp NGC 2419, a globular cluster that is the most distant known of its kind. It is moving faster than escape velocity at that distance; however, it appears to be in a long elliptical orbit around our galaxy, the Milky Way, and is thus not expected to escape. [The two facts in the previous sentence are contradictory: escape velocity means the velocity at which it "will" escape.] It also contains, nearly at the border with Cancer, the galaxy NGC 2683.

History

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.

The star 31 Lyncis, or κ Lyn, is also known as Alsciaukat (from the Arabic for the thorn), is the only named star in this constellation.

References

*"", Robert Dinwiddie et al., DK Adult Publishing, (2005), pg. 346.
* Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). "Stars and Planets Guide", Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

* [http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/lynx/ The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Lynx]
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/lynx.htm Star Tales – Lynx]