Lacerta

Lacerta
Abbreviation	Lac
Genitive	Lacertae
Meaning in English	the Lizard
Right ascension	22 h 30m
Declination	45°
Visible to latitude	Between 90° and -35°
On meridian	9 p.m., October 10
Area - Total	Ranked 68th 201 sq. deg.
Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3	0
Brightest star - Apparent magnitude	α Lacertae 3.8
Meteor showers	None
Bordering constellations	Andromeda Cassiopeia Cepheus Cygnus Pegasus

Lacerta (genitive Lacertae, abbreviation Lac), the Lizard, is one of the minor constellations. It is located between Cygnus, Cassiopeia and Andromeda. The active galaxy BL Lacertae is one of the notable objects within this constellation. BL Lac was discovered quite early, and first believed to be a star, and therefore named like variable stars.

In the Science Fiction novel Diaspora by Greg Egan, the constellation Lacerta was the origin of a massive shock wave, caused by the collision of two Neutron Stars, which caused the extinction of most life on Earth.

See also: BL Lac object

Referenced By