Serpens (The Snake) Constellation
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).
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.
Visibility of Serpens Constellation
Location: Greenwich, UK
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Today's Serpens rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, UK are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):
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 the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Serpens constellation. See also the complete list of 157 deep sky objects in the constellation of Serpens. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).
