Lyra
Brightest star: Vega
Lyra is a small constellation dominated by Vega, the 5th brightest star in the sky. Just 25 light-years away, Vega was the first star ever photographed (1850) and will become the pole star around the year 13,700 due to Earth's precession.
When to see it
Visible in summer in the Northern Hemisphere, dusk to dawn.
Mythology
Lyra is the instrument of Orpheus, the legendary musician whose songs charmed beasts and even rocks. After his death, Zeus placed his lyre among the stars, guarded by an eagle (the neighboring constellation).
Gift idea
Vega, a summer star and one corner of the Summer Triangle (with Altair and Deneb), is ideal for marking a summer wedding or July/August birthday — when the constellation is at its peak.