Ophiuchus
zodiac constellation straddling the celestial equator
Ophiuchus (Οφιούχος: say it 'Ofi-youkus'), is one of the 88 listed constellations. In Latin, it means "serpent-holder". It is near the celestial equator, and northwest of the center of the Milky Way. Ophiuchus is on the ecliptic, but is generally not considered to be in the zodiac. Its brightest star is Rasalhague.
| Constellation | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | Oph |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Ophiuchi |
| Right ascension | 17 |
| Declination | 0 |
| Area | 948 sq. deg. (11th) |
| Main stars | 10 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 59 |
| Stars with planets | 4 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 5 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 8 |
| Brightest star | α Oph (Ras Alhague) (2.1m) |
| Messier objects | 7 |
| Meteor showers | Ophiuchids Northern May Ophiuchids Southern May Ophiuchids Theta Ophiuchids |
| Bordering constellations | Hercules Serpens Caput Libra Scorpius Sagittarius Serpens Cauda Aquila |
| Visible at latitudes between +80° and −80°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July. | |
The Voyager 1 probe is within the borders of Ophiuchus.
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