Lynx constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Lynx (Lyn) is a northern constellation covering 545 square degrees, number 28 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is α Lyn, a orange giant, magnitude 3.1. It is best seen in the evening in March. Over London it never sets and is visible all year. Its neighbours in the sky: Auriga, Camelopardalis, Cancer, Gemini, Leo Minor, Ursa Major.
Area: 545 square degrees, 28 of 88 · Neighbours: Auriga, Camelopardalis, Cancer, Gemini, Leo Minor, Ursa Major · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Lynx
- 1
When to look
The best time is in March in the evening: in the south, around 20:47.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Auriga, Camelopardalis, Cancer, Gemini.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: α Lyn (3.1ᵐ), 38 Lyn (3.8ᵐ), HR 3579 (4.0ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — february | in the south, around 00:41 | around midnight |
| March | in the south, around 20:47 | in the evening |
| April — may | in the west, around 21:16 | in the evening |
| June | in the northwest, around 23:21 | in the evening |
| July | in the northwest, around 23:00 | low, needs an open horizon |
| August | in the northeast, around 04:18 | before dawn |
| September — october | in the east, around 05:13 | before dawn |
| November — december | in the south, around 04:43 | before dawn |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| α Lyn | orange giant | 3.1ᵐ |
| 38 Lyn | white main-sequence star | 3.8ᵐ |
| HR 3579 | yellow-white main-sequence star | 4.0ᵐ |
| Alsciaukat · 31 Lyn | orange giant | 4.3ᵐ |
| 15 Lyn | yellow giant | 4.3ᵐ |
| 2 Lyn | white main-sequence star | 4.5ᵐ |
| HR 3612 | yellow supergiant | 4.6ᵐ |
| 21 Lyn | white main-sequence star | 4.6ᵐ |
Lynx FAQ
When is the best time to see Lynx?
Where is Lynx in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Lynx?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0