This month we start with a faint constellation challenge. High in the northern sky at this time of year is the constellation of Lynx. None of its stars shines brighter than third magnitude so find a dark sky well away from streetlights before you start your search.
The stars of Lynx form a zigzag line across the sky that look nothing like its wildcat namesake. This is because the constellation was not named for its resemblance to the creature but because it was so faint that its inventor, the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius, quipped that to see it one would need the eyesight of a lynx. He introduced the constellation, and at least nine others, into his star charts in the 17th century to fill gaps between the 48 classical constellations listed by Ptolemy in the second century. Seven of his inventions remain in use today.
To find the constellation face due south and raise your eyes to the zenith. Lynx lies between the brighter constellations of Ursa Major, the great bear, with its familiar plough asterism, and Auriga, the charioteer. Next to Lynx is another Hevelius creation, Leo Minor. Similarly faint, it sits above the traditional constellation of Leo, the lion.
