- published: 18 Jun 2016
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Lyra ( /ˈlaɪərə/; Latin for lyre, from Greek λύρα) is a small constellation. It is one of 48 listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Its principal star, Vega (Abhijit in Sanskrit), a corner of the Summer Triangle, is one of the brightest stars in the sky. Beginning at the north, Lyra is bordered by Draco, Hercules, Vulpecula, and Cygnus.
Lyra is visible from the northern hemisphere from spring through autumn, and nearly overhead, in temperate latitudes, during the summer months. From the southern hemisphere, it is visible low in the northern sky during the winter months.
Lyra's brightest stars include the following:
In Lyra are the objects M56, M57, and Kuiper 90. M56 is a rather loose globular cluster at a distance of approximately 32,900 light-years, with a diameter of about 85 light years. Its apparent brightness is 8.3m.
M57, also known as the "Ring Nebula", has a diameter of one light-year and is at a distance of 2,000 light-years from Earth. It is one of the best known planetary nebulae and the second to be discovered; its integrated magnitude is 8.8. Astronomers have determined that it is between 6,000 and 8,000 years old. The outer part of the nebula appears red in photographs because of emission from ionized hydrogen. The middle region is colored green; doubly-ionized oxygen emits greenish-blue light. The hottest region, closest to the central star, appears blue because of emission from helium. The central star itself is a white dwarf with a temperature of 120,000 degrees Kelvin. In telescopes, the nebula appears as a visible ring with a green tinge; it is slightly elliptical because its three dimensional shape is a torus or cylinder seen from a slight angle.
Where are our lives?
If there is no dream
Where is our home?
We don't know how
There will be a way
Out of the storm
We will find home
And her soul
Walks beside her
An army stands
Behind her
Lyra, Lyra
And her face
Full of grace
Two worlds collide
Around her
The truth lies
Deep inside her
Lyra, Lyra
And the stars
Look down upon her
As darkness
Settles on her
Lyra, Lyra
Who's to know
What's in the future
But we hope
We will be with her
We have all our love
To give her
Lyra, Lyra
And her soul
Walks beside her
An army stands
Behind her
Lyra, Lyra
And her face
Full of grace
Two worlds collide
Around her
The truth lies
Deep inside her