Starwatch August 21, 2009

BMAA's amateur astronomers will offer observing tips, a tour of the constellations, and an opportunity to gaze through powerful telescopes at planets, stars, nebulae and distant galaxies. Tonight's viewing highlight is the constellation Lyra (the Lyre) which is close to the celestial meridian tonight. It represents the lyre of Orpheus, musician of the Argonauts. This small but interesting constellation contains the famous Ring nebula and the star Epsilon Lyrae, also known as the double-double, which is actually a pair of binary stars.