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Hydra (constellation)
constellation straddling the celestial equator / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hydra is a constellation that has parts in the northern sky and parts in the southern sky. It is the biggest constellation. It represents a water snake. The astronomer named Ptolemy listed Hydra when he made a list of 48 constellations.[1] It is also one of the 88 modern constellations that were made by the International Astronomical Union.
Quick Facts Abbreviation, Genitive ...
Constellation | |
![]() List of stars in Hydra | |
Abbreviation | Hya |
---|---|
Genitive | Hydrae |
Pronunciation |
|
Symbolism | the sea serpent |
Right ascension | 8–15 |
Declination | −20 |
Quadrant | SQ2 |
Area | 1303 sq. deg. (1st) |
Main stars | 17 |
Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 75 |
Stars with planets | 16 |
Stars brighter than 3.00m | 2 |
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 4 |
Brightest star | Alphard (α Hya) (1.98m) |
Messier objects | 3 |
Meteor showers |
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Bordering constellations | |
Visible at latitudes between +54° and −83°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of April. |
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Even though Hydra is a very big constellation, it only has one bright star. This star is named Alphard. Alphard means "the solitary one" in Arabic. Hydra actually has little to identify it exept for a cluster of stars at its head.