Lyra constellation. Star Vega (at upper centre) in the constellation of Lyra, the Lyre. Most of the stars in the constellation are to the lower left of Vega. Vega is also known as Alpha Lyrae or the Harp Star. It is the fifth brightest star in the sky and lies about 27 light years away, a near neighbour by stellar standards. Vega is about 3 times as large as our Sun. It is also about twice as hot and produces 58 times more light.