Lynx (constellation)
Encyclopedia
Lynx is a constellation
in the northern
sky, introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius
. It is named after the lynx
, a genus
of cat. It is a very faint constellation; its brightest stars form a zigzag line.
defined the constellation in the 17th century because he wanted to fill the open gap between the constellations Ursa Major
and Auriga
. He supposedly named it Lynx because of its faintness: only the lynx-eyed (or those of good sight) would have been able to recognise it.
(from the Arabic for thorn), also known as 31 Lyncis, or κ Lyncis.
Lynx's most notable deep sky object is the Intergalactic Tramp NGC 2419, a globular cluster
that is one of the most distant known of its kind, and appears to be in a long elliptical orbit
around our galaxy
, with one rotation taking three billion years. This constellation also contains, close to the border with Cancer
, the galaxy NGC 2683
.
ships: USS Lynx (1814)
, USS Lynx (SP-2)
, USS Lynx (AK-100)
and USS Lynx II (SP-730)
, of which only USS Lynx (AK-100) was named for the constellation.
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
in the northern
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
sky, introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius
Johannes Hevelius
Johannes Hevelius Some sources refer to Hevelius as Polish:Some sources refer to Hevelius as German:*Encyplopedia Britannica * of the Royal Society was a councilor and mayor of Danzig , Pomeranian Voivodeship, in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth...
. It is named after the lynx
Lynx
A lynx is any of the four Lynx genus species of medium-sized wildcats. The name "lynx" originated in Middle English via Latin from Greek word "λύγξ", derived from the Indo-European root "*leuk-", meaning "light, brightness", in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes...
, a genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of cat. It is a very faint constellation; its brightest stars form a zigzag line.
History
Johannes HeveliusJohannes Hevelius
Johannes Hevelius Some sources refer to Hevelius as Polish:Some sources refer to Hevelius as German:*Encyplopedia Britannica * of the Royal Society was a councilor and mayor of Danzig , Pomeranian Voivodeship, in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth...
defined the constellation in the 17th century because he wanted to fill the open gap between the constellations Ursa Major
Ursa Major
Ursa Major , also known as the Great Bear, is a constellation visible throughout the year in most of the northern hemisphere. It can best be seen in April...
and Auriga
Auriga (constellation)
Auriga is a constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for 'charioteer' and its stars form a shape that has been associated with the pointed helmet of a charioteer. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains among the 88 modern...
. He supposedly named it Lynx because of its faintness: only the lynx-eyed (or those of good sight) would have been able to recognise it.
Notable features
The only named star in this constellation is AlsciaukatAlsciaukat
31 Lyncis is the fourth-brightest star in the constellation Lynx. Its apparent magnitude is +4.25 and it belongs to the spectral class K4.5III-IIIb...
(from the Arabic for thorn), also known as 31 Lyncis, or κ Lyncis.
Lynx's most notable deep sky object is the Intergalactic Tramp NGC 2419, a globular cluster
Globular cluster
A globular cluster is a spherical collection of stars that orbits a galactic core as a satellite. Globular clusters are very tightly bound by gravity, which gives them their spherical shapes and relatively high stellar densities toward their centers. The name of this category of star cluster is...
that is one of the most distant known of its kind, and appears to be in a long elliptical orbit
Orbit
In physics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space, for example the orbit of a planet around the center of a star system, such as the Solar System...
around our galaxy
Milky Way
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains the Solar System. This name derives from its appearance as a dim un-resolved "milky" glowing band arching across the night sky...
, with one rotation taking three billion years. This constellation also contains, close to the border with Cancer
Cancer (constellation)
Cancer is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for crab and it is commonly represented as such. Its symbol is . Cancer is small and its stars are faint...
, the galaxy NGC 2683
NGC 2683
NGC 2683 is an unbarred spiral galaxy discovered by William Herschel on February 5, 1788. It was nicknamed the "UFO Galaxy" by the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory. It is viewed nearly edge-on from Earth's location in space and is located between 16 to 25 million light-years away. It...
.
Namesakes
Lynx has been used for the name of four United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
ships: USS Lynx (1814)
USS Lynx (1814)
The first USS Lynx, a 6-gun Baltimore Clipper rigged schooner, was built for the US Navy by James Owner of Georgetown, Washington, D.C., in 1814, intended for service in one of the two raiding squadrons being built as part of President James Madison's administration’s plan to establish a more...
, USS Lynx (SP-2)
USS Lynx (SP-2)
Note: USS Lynx should not be confused with patrol vessel USS Lynx II SP-730, later USS SP-730, which served in the United States Navy during the same period....
, USS Lynx (AK-100)
USS Lynx (AK-100)
USS Lynx was a US which served in the Pacific in World War II. Lynx was the third U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name, but unlike previous ships this one was named after the constellation Lynx....
and USS Lynx II (SP-730)
USS Lynx II (SP-730)
Note: USS Lynx II should not be confused with patrol vessel USS Lynx ', which served served in the United States Navy during the same period....
, of which only USS Lynx (AK-100) was named for the constellation.