Serpens: The Serpent
SER-punz
Serpens as depicted by Johann Bayer in his Uranometria (1624). Source image provided by www.RareMaps.com — Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc.
| Serpens Constellation Profile | ||
|---|---|---|
| Abbreviation: Ser | Genitive: Serpentis | Origin: Ancient |
| Location: Celestial Equator | Size/Area: 637 sq. deg. | Size Rank: 23 |
| On Meridian: 9pm June 30th 9pm August 5th |
Best View (North): Summer | Best View (South): |
| Bordering Constellations: Serpens Cauda: Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, Scutum, Aquila Serpens Caput: Corona Borealis, Bootes, Virgo, Libra, Ophiuchus, Hercules | ||
The Myth Behind the Constellation Serpens
Serpens, “The Serpent” is the snake that taught the legendary healer Asclepius (see Ophiuchus) the medicinal powers of plants. Asclepius once killed a snake, and observed another snake bringing it back to life by placing a plant on it. The physician used this principal to become skilled in medicine. When Asclepius was killed, the serpent was placed in the night sky along with him.
Serpens Constellation Points of Interest
| Interesting Objects in the Constellation Serpens | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Messier | NGC | Type | Visibility |
| M5 | NGC 5904 | Globular Cluster | Binoculars | |
| Eagle Nebula | M16 | NGC 6611 | Nebula | Binoculars |
Bright Stars in Serpens
These are the stars in Serpens with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.
| Name | Bayer Name | Magnitude | Color | Luminosity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unukalhai | Alpha Serpentis | 2.63 | Orange | 84 suns | 73 ly |