Constellation The Lesser Water Snake

Hydrus (The Lesser Water Snake): gift, map and visability

  • Meaning: The Lesser Water Snake
  • Best seen in: December
  • Family: Bayer
  • Latitude: +5° to -90°

Hydrus or The Lesser Water Snake is one of the 88 constellations modern astronomers have divided the sky into. It's part of the Bayer constellation family. Hydrus is best seen in December (from latitudes +5° to -90°).

It represents the sea snakes that the Dutch explorers would have seen on their voyages. Hydrus is a male water snake, whereas the much larger Greek constellation Hydra is a female. It is made up of 10 main stars and a spiral galaxy that was discovered in 1834. The Beta Hydri star is noted for being one of the oldest that is located near the Sun.

Hydrus Constellation Map

Hydrus Constellation Map
Hydrus icon

Main Stars in The Lesser Water Snake (Hydrus)

The constellation Hydrus contains several bright stars that make up its shape. Some of these main stars are known as:

  • Beta Hydri
  • Alpha Hydri
  • Gamma Hydri
  • Delta Hydri
  • Epsilon Hydri
  • Eta-2 Hydri
  • Nu Hydri

Some of the deep sky objects which have been discovered in Hydrus include: IC 1717, NGC 1511, NGC 1466, NGC 1473.

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88 constellations: Find out more about each of the 88 constellations and the 12 zodiacs!
Constellation facts about Hydrus

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