Ophiuchus (constellation)
| Constellation | |
|
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| Abbreviation | Oph |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Ophiuchi |
| Pronunciation | /ɒfiˈjuːkəs/ Ophiúchus, genitive /ɒfiˈjuːkaɪ/ |
| Symbolism | the serpent-bearer |
| Right ascension | 17 |
| Declination | −8 |
| Family | Hercules |
| Quadrant | SQ3 |
| Area | 948 sq. deg. (11th) |
| Main stars | 10 |
|
Bayer/Flamsteed stars |
62 |
| Stars with planets | 15 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 5 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 11 |
| Brightest star | α Oph (Rasalhague) (2.08m) |
| Nearest star |
Barnard's Star (5.98 ly, 1.83 pc) |
| Messier objects | 7 |
| Meteor showers |
Ophiuchids Northern May Ophiuchids Southern May Ophiuchids Theta Ophiuchids |
| Bordering constellations |
Hercules Serpens Libra Scorpius Sagittarius Aquila |
|
Visible at latitudes between +80° and −80°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July. |
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Ophiuchus /ɒfiˈjuːkəs/ is a large constellation located around the celestial equator. Its name is from the Greek Ὀφιοῦχος Ophioukhos; "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping the snake that is represented by the constellation Serpens. Ophiuchus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It was formerly referred to as Serpentarius /sɜːrpənˈtɛəriəs/ and Anguitenens.
Ophiuchus is located between Aquila, Serpens and Hercules, northwest of the center of the Milky Way. The southern part lies between Scorpius to the west and Sagittarius to the east. In the northern hemisphere, it is best visible in summer. It is located opposite Orion in the sky. Ophiuchus is depicted as a man grasping a serpent; the interposition of his body divides the snake constellation Serpens into two parts, Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda, which are nonetheless counted as one constellation. Ophiuchus straddles the equator but lies predominately to its south. However, Rasalhague, a fairly conspicuous star in its north, is circumpolar north of 78° north latitude. The constellation extends southward to −30° declination. Segments of the ecliptic that lie within Ophiuchus lie south of −20° declination. A determination of exactly where these stars are visible on Earth would depend on atmospheric refraction, the Novaya Zemlya effect, mountains and clouds.
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