Of the string of constellations twinkling high overhead during the spring and summer months, we have already mentioned Leo, the Lion; Berenice's Hair; Boötes with his golden Arcturus; the Northern Crown and the giant Hercules.
Next to Hercules, on the east, lies the constellation of Lyra, represented in legend as the sweet toned harp which belonged to Orpheus, son of the Muse Calliope. Orpheus inherited the love of music from his mother, and after the Sun-god had presented him with this wonderful harp, he played so delightfully that even trees, rocks and hills gathered around him to listen.
Treasuring the memory of such remarkable talents, the Greeks placed the instrument in the heavens at the edge of the Milky Way, where its framework was adorned by a group of stars, one of which is exceptionally bright, vividly blue and very beautiful. This blue star is called the "Harp Star," or Vega, by astronomers.
Precessional Orbit of the Pole.
Vega rises in the far northeast in the early evenings during the first of May but during July and August it passes almost overhead. When near the rim of the northern horizon yellow and red fires dart out amidst the blue, but when high above in the dome of the sky, its color is pure and coldly blue, a decided contrast to the golden warmth of Arcturus, which lies not far to the west of it.
In consequence of the precession of the equinoxes, in less than 12,000 years Vega will be the nearest bright star to the pole; indeed it will be close enough to serve as our North Star. Then, instead of wandering from the far northeast to the far northwest, it will seem to stand in the north like a pale-blue pivot, while all the other stars will circle round it. Vega will hold this position for 3000 years. The constellation of Lyra and that of Hercules are of particular interest because they mark that part of the universe to which our sun is traveling at the rate of 12½ miles a second. Some day (in half a million years or so), this gorgeous sun, a hundred times more brilliant than our sun, may glow upon us as a near neighbor. In 12,000 years, when our north pole points to Vega, the great Cross with its bright stars Deneb and Albireo, will never set but will journey night after night in a small circle close about the celestial pole, Orion will climb over the zenith and the Milky Way in all its splendor will whirl about the north.