Hydra (constellation)

Hydra

Constellation
List of stars in Hydra
Abbreviation	Hya
Genitive	Hydrae
Pronunciation	/ˈhaɪdrə/ genitive /ˈhaɪdriː/
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	Alpha Hydrids Sigma Hydrids
Bordering constellations	Antlia Cancer Canis Minor Centaurus Corvus Crater Leo Libra Lupus (corner) Monoceros Puppis Pyxis Sextans Virgo
Visible at latitudes between +54° and −83°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of April.

Map of the constellation

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. It is also one of the 88 modern constellations that were made by the International Astronomical Union.

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.