Ophiuchus - The Serpent-Bearer

Learn about the constellation Ophiuchus - The Serpent-Bearer, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

Ophiuchus is depicted as a man supporting a Serpens; the interposition of his body divides the snake into two parts, Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda, which are nonetheless counted as one constellation.

Location: Northern Summer 17h RA 0° Dec

The brightest stars in Ophiuchus include α Ophiuchi, called Rasalhague (at the figure's head), and λ Ophiuchi, a triple star (at his elbow). RS Ophiuchi is part of a strange class called recurrent novae, whose brightness increase at irregular intervals by hundreds of times in a period of just a few days. It is thought to be on the brink of becoming a type-1a supernova.

Ophiuchus Mythology

One interpretation is that the figure represents the legendary physician Asclepius, who learned the secrets of life and death from one serpent bringing another some herbs which healed it (Asclepius had previously tried to kill it). To avoid the human race becoming immortal under Asclepius' care, Zeus eventually killed him with a bolt of lightning but placed him in the heavens to honour his good works.

Ophiuchus Deep Space Objects

Ophiuchus contains several star clusters, such as IC 4665, NGC 6633, M9, M10, M12, M14, M19, M62, and M107, as well as the nebula IC 4603-4604. M10 is a fairly close globular cluster, only 20,000 light-years from Earth.

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.