Ophiuchus Constellation | Constellations In The Southern Hemisphere

OPHIUCHUS CONSTELLATION – In this topic, we are going to know and learn about the southern constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer.

It is a constellation lies in the southern sky. Its name means “the serpent bearer” in Greek and is associated with the figure of Asclepius, the famous healer in Greek mythology.

The constellation is also known as Serpentarius, its Latin name and is depicted as a man holding a snake, which is represented by Serpens.

Ophiuchus is divided into two parts, Serpens Caput, the snake’s head, and Serpens Cauda, the snake’s tail.

It houses the Rasalhague, Barnard’s Star, Kepler’s Supernova, as well as the Twin Jet Nebula, the Little Ghost Nebula, the dark nebulae Barnard 68, the Pipe Nebula, the Snake Nebula, and the Dark Horse Nebula, and the globular clusters Messier 9, Messier 10, Messier 12, Messier 14, Messier 19, Messier 62, and Messier 107.

It is the 11th largest constellation and occupies an area of about 948 square degrees. It lies in SQ3, the third quadrant of the southern hemisphere.

Ophiuchus belongs to the Hercules family, along with Aquila, Ara, Centaurus, Corona Australis, Corvus, Crater, Crux, Cygnus, Hercules, Hydra, Lupus, Lyra, Sagitta, Scutum, Sextans, Serpens, Triangulum Australe and Vulpecula.

Stars

Among the stars include: