Lacerta
the Lizard
Another
inconspicuous constellation sandwiched between Cygnus and Andromeda,
introduced to the sky by Johannes Hevelius in 1687.
The
only bright star is alpha with a magnitude of 3.8, its a A1 class
star lying at a distance of 103 light years.
There
were other suggestions for constellations in this area, the Sceptre
and Hand of Justice created by the French astronomer Augustin Royer
in 1697 to commemorate King Lous XIV. The German astronomer Johann
Bode in 1787 called
this area Frederick’s glory in honour of King Frederick II of
Prussia. Both have been discarded in favour of Lacerta.
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