Ophiuchus: The Serpent Bearer
Pronunciation: OAF-ee-YOO-kus/OFF-ee-YOO-kus
| Ophiuchus Constellation Profile | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation: Oph | Genitive: Ophiuchi |
| Origin: Ancient | Location: Celestial Equator |
| Best View (North): Summer | Best View (South): |
| Bordering Constellations: Hercules, Serpens Caput, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Serpens Cauda, Aquila | |
The Myth Behind the Constellation Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus, “The Serpent-Bearer”, represents Asclepius, a legendary physician who was the son of Apollo and Coronis. He was educated by the centaur Chiron (see Centaurus), and was said to have learned the medicinal power of plants from a snake (see Serpens). He became so skilled at healing that he could raise the dead. This upset Hades, god of the underworld, who convinced Zeus to kill Asclepius. Zeus struck him down with a thunderbolt and placed the healer in the night sky, along with his serpent, Serpens.Ophiuchus Constellation Points of Interest
| Interesting Objects in the Constellation Ophiuchus | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Messier | NGC | Type | Visibility |
| M9 | NGC 6333 | Globular Cluster | Binoculars | |
| M10 | NGC 6254 | Globular Cluster | Binoculars | |
| M12 | NGC 6218 | Globular Cluster | Binoculars | |
| M14 | NGC 6402 | Globular Cluster | Binoculars | |
| M19 | NCG 6273 | Globular Cluster | Binoculars | |
| M62 | NGC 6266 | Globular Cluster | Binoculars | |
| M107 | NGC 6171 | Globular Cluster | Small Scope | |
Bright Stars in Ophiuchus
These are the stars in Ophiuchus with a minimum magnitude of 3.0.| Name | Bayer Name | Magnitude | Color | Luminosity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasalhague | Alpha Ophiuchi | 2.08 | White | 28 suns | 47 ly |
| Sabik | Eta Ophiuchi | 2.43 | White | 71 suns | 84 ly |
| Han | Zeta Ophiuchi | 2.54 | Blue | 1,093 suns | 458 ly |
| Yed Prior | Delta Ophiuchi | 2.71 | Red | 1,595 suns | 170 ly |
| Cebalrai | Beta Ophiuchi | 2.76 | Orange | 93 suns | 82 ly |