The Lyre Of Orpheus
Lyra
December 29 - January 13
Vega, the brilliant pale-sapphire Harp Star, is the fifth brightest star in the sky and the brightest in the constellation of Lyra, the Lyre with which the legendary musician Orpheus charmed the sovereigns of the underworld. Vega, the 'arc-light of the heavens' was the Pole Star 14,000 years ago and it can be seen glittering high up near the zenith throughout the northern Summer. It lies on the western edge of the Milky way itself, and, together with Deneb in Cygnus, the Swan, and Altair in Aquila, the Eagle, it forms part of the great 'Summer Triangle' which dominates the northern Summer skies. It can be seen in June in the north from the southern hemisphere.
