Constellation Lacerta
The constellation Lacerta, meaning “lizard” in Latin, is a small and inconspicuous northern constellation. It was
created by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in the late 17th century, who depicted it as a celestial
lizard on his star maps.
Lacerta is located in the fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere and can be spotted between Cygnus and
Andromeda. While not particularly prominent, it contains several interesting deep-sky objects.
One of the notable objects in Lacerta is NGC 7243, a young open cluster of stars also known as Caldwell 16.
With an apparent magnitude of 6.4, it can be observed with binoculars or a small telescope. Its age is estimated
to be around 100 million years.
Another prominent feature is the star Beta Lacertae, also called Zhōu Tiān (the heavenly turtle) in Chinese
mythology. It is a binary star system consisting of a blue-white giant and a yellow dwarf.
Interesting Facts:
- Lacerta was one of the 88 constellations cataloged by the International Astronomical Union.
- The constellation Lacerta has no star brighter than magnitude 4.
- It is best visible during the autumn months in the northern hemisphere.
- Although Lacerta is a rather faint constellation, it has a rich symbolism in different cultures,
representing lizards, dragons, or protecting spirits.
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