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Lacerta

For the biological genus of lizards, see Lacerta.
Lacerta
AbbreviationLac
GenitiveLacertae
Meaning in Englishthe Lizard
Right ascension22 h 30m
Declination45°
Visible to latitudeBetween 90° and -35°
On meridian9 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

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