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public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
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All Constellations » 

Ophiuchus (The Serpent Bearer) Constellation

Altitude: 19.1°   Azimuth: 125.6°   Direction: South-East

Ophiuchus (pronounced ˌɒfiˈjuːkəs) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 50 degrees across the sky) situated close to the celestial equator. As such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.

In English language this constellation is also known as "The Serpent bearer" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Oph" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Ophi" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Ophiuchi" (pronounced ˌɒfiˈjuːkaɪ) and it is used to identify some of the brightest stars in this constellation based on the Bayer or Flamsteed star naming convention. For instance: α Ophiuchi (the brightest star of Ophiuchus based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Ophiuchi (the 23th star in the constellation of Ophiuchus based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Ophiuchus is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 19°.
Available Resources for Ophiuchus

Sky Chart of Ophiuchus Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Ophiuchus constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Ophiuchus in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Chart of  constellation
This constellation image is derivatve work based on original work by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) CC-BY-3.0.

Visibility of Ophiuchus Constellation

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Today's Ophiuchus rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 95.0°
Max altitude: 33.5°
Azimuth: 265.0°
Ophiuchus is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

The rise and set times provided here are just directional indications and they refer to a point approximately placed at the center of the constellation. In case of very large constellations (like Ophiuchus actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Ophiuchus Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Ophiuchus constellation. See also the complete list of 175 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Ophiuchus. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR6556 α Ophiuchi Rasalhague 2.08 Variable; Double;
HR6378 η Ophiuchi Sabik 2.43 Multiple;
HR6175 ζ Ophiuchi 2.56 Variable;
HR6056 δ Ophiuchi Yed Prior 2.74 Variable; Double;
HR6603 β Ophiuchi Cebalrai 2.77
HR6299 κ Ophiuchi 3.2 Variable;
HR6075 ε Ophiuchi Yed Posterior 3.24 Double;
HR6453 θ Ophiuchi 3.27 Variable;
HR6698 ν Ophiuchi 3.34
HR6771 72 Ophiuchi 3.73 Multiple;
HR6629 γ Ophiuchi 3.75
HR6149 λ Ophiuchi Marfik 3.82 Variable; Multiple;
HR6714 67 Ophiuchi 3.97 Multiple;
HR6752 70 Ophiuchi 4.03 Multiple;
HR6486 44 Ophiuchi 4.17 Variable;
HR6147 φ Ophiuchi 4.28 Multiple;
HR6492 45 Ophiuchi 4.29
HR6498 σ Ophiuchi 4.34 Variable;
HR6281 ι Ophiuchi 4.38 Variable;
HR6445 ξ Ophiuchi 4.39 Double;
...go to the complete list of 175 bright stars in the constellation of Ophiuchus

(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.

Deep Sky Objects in Ophiuchus Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Ophiuchus constellation. See also the complete list of 67 deep sky objects in the constellation of Ophiuchus. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
IC 4665 Open Cluster 4.2 (V)
NGC 6633 Open Cluster 4.6 (V)
Messier 10 Globular Cluster 4.98 (V)
IC 4604 (Rho Ophiuchi Nebula) Nebula 5.1 (B)
Messier 19 Globular Cluster 5.57 (V)
Messier 14 Globular Cluster 5.73 (V)
Messier 12 (Gumball Cluster) Globular Cluster 6.07 (V)
NGC 6235 Globular Cluster 7.2 (V)
Messier 62 (Flickering Globular) Globular Cluster 7.39 (V)
NGC 6356 Globular Cluster 7.42 (V)
NGC 6284 Globular Cluster 7.43 (V)
NGC 6572 Planetary Nebula 8.1 (V)
Messier 9 Globular Cluster 8.42 (V)
Messier 107 Globular Cluster 8.85 (V)
NGC 6293 Globular Cluster 9.02 (V)
NGC 6304 Globular Cluster 9.03 (V)
NGC 6316 Globular Cluster 9.03 (V)
NGC 6342 Globular Cluster 10.01 (V)
NGC 6287 Globular Cluster 10.3 (V)
NGC 6401 Globular Cluster 10.71 (V)
...go to the complete list of 67 deep sky objects in the constellation of Ophiuchus