Lynx constellation
Lynx is a constellation of the northern sky. Its brightest star is α Lyncis. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.
- Winterbest seen
- α Lyncisbrightest star, magnitude 3.1
- LynLynx
How to find the constellation Lynx
A chain of faint stars between Ursa Major and Auriga. It got its name because only a lynx-eyed observer can make it out.
Best seen in winter: in February around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 85°.
| Location | Visibility |
|---|---|
| 40° NMadrid, New York, Beijing | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsaw | rises and sets, fully visible |
| 60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg | never sets — visible all year round |
Bright stars of the constellation
| Star | Magnitude | Color | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| α Lyncis | 3.1 | orange | — |
| 38 Lyncis | 3.8 | bluish white | — |
| 10 Ursae Majoris | 4.0 | white | — |
| Alsciaukat31 Lyncis | 4.3 | orange | — |
| 15 Lyncis | 4.3 | yellow | — |
| 2 Lyncis | 4.4 | bluish white | — |
| HIP 44700 | 4.6 | orange | — |
Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.
Questions
How do you find the constellation Lynx in the sky?
A chain of faint stars between Ursa Major and Auriga. It got its name because only a lynx-eyed observer can make it out.
When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Lynx?
In winter: in February around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.
What is the brightest star in the constellation Lynx?
α Lyncis: magnitude 3.1, orange.
How many stars are there in the constellation Lynx?
With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 60 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.