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public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
wb_twilight Civil TwilightWhat's Visible Now?
All Constellations » 

Serpens (The Snake) Constellation

Altitude: 42.5°   Azimuth: 194.2°   Direction: South-South-West

Serpens (pronounced ˈsɜːrpɛnz) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 69 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 Snake" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Ser" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Serp" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Serpentis" (pronounced sərˈpɛntɪs) 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 Serpentis (the brightest star of Serpens based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Serpentis (the 23th star in the constellation of Serpens based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Serpens is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 43°.
Available Resources for Serpens

Sky Chart of Serpens Constellation

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

Chart of  constellation 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 Serpens Constellation

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

Today's Serpens 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: 85.2°
Max altitude: 43.3°
Azimuth: 274.8°
Serpens 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 Serpens actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Serpens Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Serpens constellation. See also the complete list of 113 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Serpens. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR5854 α Serpentis Unukalhai 2.65 Multiple;
HR6869 η Serpentis 3.26 Variable; Double;
HR5881 μ Serpentis 3.53
HR6561 ξ Serpentis 3.54 Variable; Double;
HR5867 β Serpentis 3.67 Multiple;
HR5892 ε Serpentis 3.71
HR5789 δ Serpentis 3.8 Variable; Multiple;
HR5933 γ Serpentis 3.85 Variable; Multiple;
HR5879 κ Serpentis Gudja 4.09 Variable;
HR6581 ο Serpentis 4.26 Variable;
HR6446 ν Serpentis 4.33 Double;
HR5868 λ Serpentis 4.43 Variable;
HR5842 ι Serpentis 4.52 Multiple;
HR6710 ζ Serpentis 4.62
HR7141 θ1 Serpentis Alya 4.62 Variable; Multiple;
HR5899 ρ Serpentis 4.76 Variable;
HR6093 σ Serpentis 4.82
HR5972 π Serpentis 4.83
HR7142 θ2 Serpentis 4.98 Multiple;
HR5694 5 Serpentis 5.06 Variable; Multiple;
...go to the complete list of 113 bright stars in the constellation of Serpens

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

Deep Sky Objects in Serpens Constellation

The table below lists all the deep sky objects in the Serpens constellation. See also the complete list of 1 deep sky objects in the constellation of Serpens. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
HCG079 (Seyfert's Sextet) Group of Galaxies N/A