Hydra (constellation)

constellation straddling the celestial equator

Hydra is a constellation that has parts in the northern sky and parts in the southern sky. It is the biggest constellation. It represents a water snake. The astronomer named Ptolemy listed Hydra when he made a list of 48 constellations.[1] It is also one of the 88 modern constellations that were made by the International Astronomical Union.

Hydra
Constellation
Hydra
AbbreviationHya
GenitiveHydrae
Pronunciation
Symbolismthe sea serpent
Right ascension8–15
Declination−20
QuadrantSQ2
Area1303 sq. deg. (1st)
Main stars17
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
75
Stars with planets16
Stars brighter than 3.00m2
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)4
Brightest starAlphard (α Hya) (1.98m)
Messier objects3
Meteor showers
  • Alpha Hydrids
  • Sigma Hydrids
Bordering
constellations
Visible at latitudes between +54° and −83°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of April.
Map of the constellation

Even though Hydra is a very big constellation, it only has one bright star. This star is named Alphard. Alphard means "the solitary one" in Arabic. Hydra actually has little to identify it exept for a cluster of stars at its head.

References

change
  1. Ridpath, Ian. "Chapter One Continued". Star Tales. Retrieved 4 Feb 2013.