The Constellation Directory

Abbreviation: Lac
Genitive: Lacertae
Constellation family: Perseus
Nearest constellations: Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cygnus, and Pegasus
Right ascension: 22.46h
Declination: 44.82°
Visible between latitudes: +90° and -35°
Square degrees: 201
Luminary: Alpha Lacertae
Notable deep sky objects: BL Lacertae

About

Lacerta is a small constellation in the Northern Hemisphere. It is best seen in October.

Lacerta was originally introduced by Johannes Hevelius in 1690.

This constellation contains the object BL Lacertae. BL Lacertae is a blazar, which is a quasar with one of its jets oriented so that it points directly toward Earth. A quasar is a unique type of galaxy that has a supermassive black hole spinning at its center. As matter falls in toward the black hole due to gravitational attraction, it is then propelled outward in jets that are caused by a magnetic field generated by the black hole's spin.

Mythology

There is no mythology associated with this constellation.