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public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
wb_twilight Astronomical TwilightWhat's Visible Now?
All Constellations » 

Lynx (The Lynx) Constellation

Altitude: 20.7°   Azimuth: 322.7°   Direction: North-West

Lynx (pronounced ˈlɪŋks) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 41 degrees across the sky) situated north of the celestial equator. As such, it is more easily visible from the northern hemisphere.

In English language this constellation is also known as "The Lynx" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Lyn" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Lync" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Lyncis" (pronounced ˈlɪnsɪs) and it is used to identify some of the brightest stars in this constellation based on the Bayer or Flamsteed star naming convention. For instance: α Lyncis (the brightest star of Lynx based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Lyncis (the 23th star in the constellation of Lynx based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Lynx is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 21°.
Available Resources for Lynx

Sky Chart of Lynx Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Lynx constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Lynx in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Chart of  constellation
This constellation image is derivatve work based on original work by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) CC-BY-3.0.

Visibility of Lynx Constellation

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Lynx is circumpolar and transits at 20:06 UTC (altitude: 86.2°)

The rise and set times provided here are just directional indications and they refer to a point approximately placed at the center of the constellation. In case of very large constellations (like Lynx actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Lynx Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Lynx constellation. See also the complete list of 99 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Lynx. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR3705 α Lyncis 3.13 Variable;
HR3690 38 Lyncis 3.82 Multiple;
HR3579 3.97 Multiple;
HR3275 31 Lyncis Alsciaukat 4.25 Variable;
HR2560 15 Lyncis 4.35 Multiple;
HR2238 2 Lyncis 4.48 Variable;
HR3612 4.56
HR2818 21 Lyncis 4.64 Variable;
HR3809 4.81
HR3173 27 Lyncis 4.84 Multiple;
HR2470 12 Lyncis 4.87 Multiple;
HR2585 16 Lyncis 4.9 Variable;
HR2215 1 Lyncis 4.98 Variable;
HR2946 24 Lyncis 4.99 Double;
HR2751 5.05
HR3508 35 Lyncis 5.15
HR2999 5.18 Variable;
HR2715 18 Lyncis 5.2
HR2293 5 Lyncis 5.21 Multiple;
HR3829 42 Lyncis 5.25
...go to the complete list of 99 bright stars in the constellation of Lynx

(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.

Deep Sky Objects in Lynx Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Lynx constellation. See also the complete list of 136 deep sky objects in the constellation of Lynx. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
NGC 2683 Galaxy 9.79 (V)
NGC 2419 Globular Cluster 10.05 (V)
NGC 2500 Galaxy 11.62 (V)
NGC 2782 Galaxy 11.63 (V)
NGC 2537 (Bear Claw Nebula) Galaxy 11.69 (V)
NGC 2776 Galaxy 11.69 (V)
NGC 2541 Galaxy 11.8 (V)
IC 2166 Galaxy 12.01 (V)
NGC 2770 Galaxy 12.1 (B)
NGC 2549 Galaxy 12.1 (B)
NGC 2344 Galaxy 12.14 (V)
NGC 2712 Galaxy 12.3 (B)
NGC 2552 Galaxy 12.56 (V)
IC 2233 Galaxy 12.63 (V)
NGC 2543 Galaxy 12.7 (B)
NGC 2532 Galaxy 12.9 (B)
NGC 2330 Galaxy 13.05 (V)
NGC 2493 Galaxy 13.1 (B)
NGC 2445 Galaxy 13.1 (B)
...go to the complete list of 136 deep sky objects in the constellation of Lynx