SUMMER: Lyra

Lyra the Lyre is a small but well defined constellation, prominent in Northern Hemisphere summer skies thanks to its brightest star Vega (Alpha (α) Lyrae). In mythology Lyra represents the harp-like lyre that Hermes fashioned out of the shell of a tortoise. One story goes that, fleeing the unwelcome advances of Aristaeus, Orpheus’s wife Eurydice was fatally bitten by a venomous snake. Heartbroken, Orpheus ventured into the Underworld to plea with Hades for the return of his dead wife. He charmed Hades with the lyre’s music and a deal was struck: Eurydice could follow Orpheus back to the land of the living, but only if Orpheus didn’t look back. Unfortunately curiosity got the better of him. Just before they escaped, he glanced back to make sure his wife was following.…

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The Astronomer's Yearbook 2019 (Digital) - 1 Issue, Astronomer's Yearbook 2020

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