Hydrus Constellation Myths and Facts

Hydrus: The Water Snake

Pronunciation: HIGH-drus
Hydrus
Hydrus as depicted by Johann Bayer in his Uranometria (1603). Source image provided by www.RareMaps.com — Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc.
Hydrus Constellation Profile
Abbreviation: Hyi Genitive: Hydri
Origin: Keyser/de Houtman Location: Southern Hemisphere
Best View (North): Best View (South):
Bordering Constellations: Octans, Mensa, Dorado, Reticulum, Horologium, Eridanus, Phoenix, Tucana

The Myth Behind the Constellation Hydrus

Hydrus, “The Water Snake”, is one of the 12 constellations introduced by navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman, two sixteenth-century Dutchman who observed the southern skies. It is another of their creations based on animals they saw on their travels. Hydrus is a male water snake, while Hydra would be a female water snake.

Hydrus Constellation Points of Interest

Interesting stars and objects.

Bright Stars in Hydrus

These are the stars in Hydrus with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.
Name Bayer Name Magnitude Color Luminosity Distance
Beta Hydri Beta Hydri 2.82  Yellow 3.8 suns 24 ly
Alpha Hydri Alpha Hydri 2.86  Yellow-White 32 suns 71 ly