In the Northern Hemisphere, Ophiuchus is visible in the evening from late spring to early autumn, and its center is at right ascension 17h20m and declination 8. The greatest time to observe Ophiuchus each year is on June 11th, when it is directly opposite the Sun in the sky, reaching its highest peak at local midnight.
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Visible Between Latitudes:
Summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere are the greatest times to view Ophiuchus, the snake bearer. At latitudes between 80 and -80 degrees, it is completely visible. It’s a big constellation that takes about 948 square degrees of sky. This places it as the night sky’s 11th largest constellation. It’s northwest of the Milky Way’s core, between Aquila, Serpens, and Hercules. Scorpius to the west and Sagittarius to the east make up the southern portion. It is one of the zodiac’s thirteen constellations. This indicates that it is located along the route that the Sun takes in the sky during the year. The Zodiac had only 12 constellations when it was created by the Babylonians roughly 300 years ago. The Sun now travels through Ophiuchus every year in December due to the Earth’s axis movement, making it a new member of the Zodiac by definition.
Ptolemy, the Greek astronomer, recognized 48 constellations in the second century. Ophiuchus is one of them. It’s an old constellation that many ancient societies were aware of. It was known to the Babylonians as the serpent-god Nirah. It was said to be the god Apollo battling the huge snake that guarded the Oracle of Delphi by the ancient Greeks. It is commonly connected with Asclepius, the son of the god Apollo, who was supposed to be capable of resurrecting the dead. Serpents have long been connected with doctors, giving rise to the contemporary emblem for medicine. Ophiuchus is frequently drawn as a man holding a snake, which represents the constellation Serpens, which is close by.
What is the best place to see the Ophiuchus?
The area of Ophiuchus is 948 square degrees. It can be found northwest of the Milky Way’s center. It is opposite Orion and near the constellations Aquila, Serpens, and Hercules. Scorpius to the west and Sagittarius to the east make up the southern portion. The following is Ophiuchus’ position:
- 17.18 hours from Ascension to Right Ascension
- -4.24 degrees declination
- Temperatures between 80 and -80 degrees Fahrenheit are seen.
- The best time to see it is approximately 9 p.m. in July.
What is the distance between Ophiuchus and Earth?
With an area of 948 square degrees, Ophiuchus is the 11th largest constellation in the sky. It’s one among the 15 constellations that may be seen from the equator. It can be visible at latitudes between +80 and -80 degrees in the southern hemisphere’s third quadrant (SQ3). Aquila, Hercules, Libra, Sagittarius, Scorpius, and Serpens are the constellations that are close by.
Rasalhague, Alpha Ophiuchi, is the brightest star in the constellation, with an apparent magnitude of 2.08. The Ophiuchids, Northern May Ophiuchids, Southern May Ophiuchids, and Theta Ophiuchids are the four meteor showers associated with the constellation.
Along with Aquila, Ara, Centaurus, Corona Australis, Corvus, Crater, Crux, Cygnus, Hercules, Hydra, Lupus, Lyra, Sagitta, Scutum, Sextans, Serpens, Triangulum Australe, and Vulpecula, Ophiuchus is part of the Hercules constellation family.
Messier 9 (M9, NGC 6333), Messier 10 (M10, NGC 6254), Messier 12 (M12, NGC 6218), Messier 14 (M14, NGC 6402), Messier 19 (M19, NGC 6273), Messier 62 (M62, NGC 6266), and Messier 107 (M107, NGC 6266) are the Messier objects in Ophiuchus (M107, NGC 6171). There are additional seven known planets among the stars.
There are 11 named stars in this constellation. Barnard’s Star, Cebalrai, Guniibuu, Mahsati, Marfik, Rasalhague, Rosaladecastro, Sabik, Timir, Yed Posterior, and Yed Prior are the proper names of stars that have been formally accepted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Is Ophiuchus a rare astrological sign?
Aries is the second rarest zodiac sign, followed by Sagittarius, both of which are fire signs, according to Stardust.
According to Stardust, the first sign of the zodiac is Aries, which has a spark of creativity that “gets everyone going and moving.” According to Stardust, Sagittarius, the third rarest zodiac sign, “falls during the autumn season and are renowned to be adventurous and free-spirited.”
Who was responsible for the death of Ophiuchus?
The Serpent Bearer is the name given to the constellation Ophiuchus. He was the god of medicine in Greek mythology. He killed a snake one day, but another serpent appeared and used plants to heal his comrade. When Ophiuchus witnessed this, he learnt how to treat individuals using herbs.
Hades was concerned that Ophiuchus might resurrect everyone. He desired that people die and join him in the afterlife. Ophiuchus was killed by Zeus for Hades, but he was resurrected in the sky to honor him.
The constellation is faint, yet it has a pleasing shape. He has the appearance of a teapot! In fact, the image depicts three constellations. The constellations Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda are held by Ophiuchus. Beginning in June and finishing in October, these three can be observed. Near Hercules and Scorpius, he can be discovered.
The brightest star is Ras Alhague, which is the serpent bearer’s head.
Is Ophiuchus a divine being?
The Serpent Bearer is the constellation Ophiuchus. From June to October, this enormous constellation can be viewed in the night sky. Despite the fact that the majority of the stars are faint, Ophiuchus’ teapot form makes it easier to locate.
The constellation is made up of three separate figures. Serpens Caput is in Ophiuchus’ left hand, and Serpens Cauda is in his right. He is north of Scorpius and south of Hercules.
In Greek mythology, Ophiuchus represents Asclepius, the god of medicine. Asclepius was Apollo’s son and was tutored by the Centaur Chiron. He discovered how to resurrect the dead, which alarmed Hades. The underworld god asked his brother Zeus to assassinate the medicine god. To commemorate him, Zeus struck him dead and then placed the figure of Asclepius in the sky.
In this constellation, there aren’t many bright stars, yet one stands out. A recurrent nova is a type of star like RS Ophiuchi. These weird things are dark for a long time before suddenly brightening. The brightest star is Ras Alhague, which is the serpent bearer’s head.
There are several celestial objects in Ophiuchus. The constellation has multiple clusters and one nebula.
What is the spirit animal of Ophiuchus?
Were you born between the 30th of November and the 18th of December?
On your birthday, the sun will most likely pass in front of the constellation Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer.
I’m almost expecting to hear someone say:
You’re entirely correct. Because Ophiuchus is a constellation rather than a zodiac sign, this is the case. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between astrological signs and astronomical constellations, when and where to look for Ophiuchus, the deep-sky gems it holds, its mythology, science, and more.
Signs versus constellations
On August and September evenings, the Serpent Bearer stands tall in the south to southwest sky from Northern Hemisphere latitudes. Ophiuchus is closer to above from the Southern Hemisphere. Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpionis, is also close by.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) drew up the official boundary lines for all 88 constellations in the 1930s. Rasalhague, Ophiuchus’ brightest star, and Antares, Scorpius’ brightest star, are labeled in the photo below of the constellation Ophiuchus. Rasalhague is a bright star that marks Ophiuchus’ head, although it pales in comparison to Antares, the star that depicts the Scorpion’s beating heart.
Ophiuchus is in a bad way. Despite the fact that the ecliptic passes through him, no one ever claims him as a birth sign. After all, the zodiac band stretches 8 degrees north and south of the ecliptic, with a total width of 16 degrees. The constellations aren’t evenly distributed along this area in our sky, either. Everyone who reads astrological advice online is familiar with the zodiac signs. There are 12 zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, and so forth. However, there is no Ophiuchus.
However, the moon and planets pass through Ophiuchus on a regular basis. Likewise, the sun. From roughly November 30 to December 18, the sun is in front of Ophiuchus.
Around November 21, or anytime the sun is exactly 30 degrees west of the December solstice point, the sun is said to enter the sign of Sagittarius. On the December 21 solstice, the sun enters the sign of Capricorn. So, regardless of the sun shining in front of the constellation Ophiuchus from November 30 to December 18, the sun passes through the sign Sagittarius for the month leading up to the December solstice.
By the way, in around 72 years, the December solstice point advances one degree westward in front of the zodiacal constellationsor backdrop stars. By the year 2269, the December solstice point will have finally moved into the constellation Ophiuchus.
When and where to locate Ophiuchus
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is the ideal time to see Ophiuchus (Southern Hemisphere winter). Late July and early August in the Northern Hemisphere show this constellation high in the southern sky during twilight and early evening. On fall evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, it can be visible in the southwest sky.
This relatively large constellation lies to the north of Scorpius the Scorpion and to the south of Hercules the Hero in the sky. If you’re familiar with the brightest star in Scorpius, Antares, try star-hopping to Ophiuchus from this crimson beauty. The star Rasalhague appears on Ophiuchus’ skull (Alpha Ophiuchi).
In tradition and in the sky, Ophiuchus is associated with the Serpent constellation.
If you have a dark sky, you might notice that this is one constellation that looks exactly how it should: a large man holding a snake.
Ophiuchus is derived from two Greek words that signify serpent and holding.
Deep-sky objects in Ophiuchus
Take your binoculars and scan Ophiuchus, which lies in the Milky Way band and has numerous deep-sky wonders, on a night when the moon isn’t visible. For example, Ophiuchus has a lot of globular clusters. M10 and M12 are the two simplest globular clusters to see with conventional binoculars, as seen in the chart above. They seem as weak puffs of light via binoculars, but with a telescope, you can see these globular clusters for what they are. They’re massive stellar metropolis with hundreds of thousands of stars that span a hundred to a few hundred light-years in diameter.
The Pipe Nebula, a massive interstellar cloud of gas and dust spreading across nearly 7 degrees of sky, is another big deep-sky favorite. That’s about the width of three to four fingers at arm’s length. This dark nebula is located in southern Ophiuchus at a distance of 600 to 700 light-years and can be viewed with the naked eye in a dark, transparent sky. The Pipe Nebula is located to the east of Antares and to the north of Shaula and Lesath. The above chart shows these two stars (but not the Pipe Nebula).
Ophiuchus in myth and star lore
Ophiuchus represents Asclepius, the Greek deity of medicine and doctors, in Greek mythology. He is always shown with a large serpent or snake in his hand. A snake’s venom can either kill or cure, depending on how it’s utilized. Asclepius is claimed to have manufactured a healing elixir from Serpens the Serpent’s venom, Gorgon’s blood, and an unknown herb. Until the god of the underworld, Pluto, appealed to the king of the gods, this potion granted humanity immortality. Pluto urged Zeus to rethink the consequences of death’s death.
We have no idea how Pluto made his case. Maybe he just said that what never lives never dies, and that no mortal can have one without the other. Sophocles may have summed up the myth’s core theme when he said:
It is preferable to die and sleep the never-waking slumber than to live after the soul’s life has passed.
In his Four Quartets, poet T.S. Eliot may have mirrored the notion of the ever-living story:
We perish in the company of the dying:
We are born with the dead in our midst:
In any case, according to legend, Zeus seized the elixir, exiled Asclepius from Earth, and enshrined the great physician in the celestial realms. Today, the Staff of Asclepius, a symbol of the World Health Organization and other medical organizations, pays homage to this myth and mirrors the magnificent celestial shape of Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer constellation.
Ophiuchus in history and science
A supernova explosion of a star within our own Milky Way galaxy hasn’t been seen in almost 400 years. However, in the year 1604, a supernova known as Kepler’s Supernova blasted into the scene, allowing for 18 months of naked-eye sight. It sparkled in the southern hemisphere of Ophiuchus, not far from the Pipe Nebula.
Tycho’s Supernova, which lighted up Cassiopeia in 1572, was followed by Kepler’s Supernova in 1604. The Aristotelian notion of an unchangeable world outside the orbit of the moon was shattered by these supernovae, which sent shock waves through Europe’s elite. Tycho Brahe measured the 1572 supernova’s parallax, proving that it was not an atmospheric phenomenon. In reality, the supernova flashed well beyond the orbit of the moon. Shortly after, in 1604, Kepler’s Supernova seemed to hammer home the point once more.
Furthermore, in 1577, Tycho Brahe estimated the distance of a comet and discovered that it was also farther away than the moon. Aristotelians wanted to believe comets were gases burning in the atmosphere, but Tycho disproved Aristotle’s unchanging universe theory once more.
Bottom line: For nearly two weeks each year, the sun passes through the constellation Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer, making Ophiuchus an unofficial member of the zodiac. Learn the difference between astrological signs and astronomy constellations, as well as how to find Ophiuchus.
Ophiuchus, who shall he marry?
I’m not directly touched by the rekindled dispute regarding Ophiuchus, the 13th zodiac sign, because I’m a proud (and predictably stubborn) Taurus. The sign, which lies between Scorpio and Sagittarius and encompasses those born between November 29 and December 17, is not universally accepted as a part of the official zodiac. However, learning about the sign’s history and the psychological attributes of Ophiuchus is fascinating. Most importantly, if you use astrology for love (and who doesn’t? ), you might be even more interested in how the Ophiuchus sign behaves in relationships and which signs are most and least compatible with them.
For those of you who were as perplexed as I was, Ophiuchus (pronounced Of-ee-You-Cus) means “serpent carrier” and represents a human being entwined with a snake, which is ideal for all you Slytherins out there. Their personality is complex, and their ideal spouse is someone who can complement them and deal with some of their less desirable characteristics.
The most important aspect of a successful relationship with Ophiuchus, according to Wong, is respecting their need to be free and unbound, as well as their want to be appreciated. “The perfect partner should not need to be praised as much and must possess inner confidence to improve what an Ophiuchus can provide,” she says, adding that someone who is smart yet satisfied in a “supporting role” is the best choice for an Ophiuchus. “Like the crew of a movie that shines a light on the actor, the perfect partner must provide a solid backbone to the partnership.”
If you’re wondering if you and an Ophiuchus are a good match, these are the five most compatible signs for the serpent bearer.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Because they’re both creative daydreamers, the Neptune-ruled Pisces is the ideal match for Ophiuchus. Pisces is a sign that puts their heart and soul into their relationships and loves to play a more supportive role, which is a good match for Ophiuchus’ romantic requirements. These are two signs, according to Wong, who can easily express their emotions and feelings. “More than that, both signs are easygoing when it comes to adapting to new situations,” she adds, “so they’d be fantastic together in times of change.”
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Capricorn, a realistic, goal-oriented, and ambitious sign, would get along swimmingly with Ophiuchus. They’re both intellectually ambitious, hardworking, and competitive in their professional and personal lives, according to Wong. When one of you needs to put in extra time at work, both partners will be understanding and supportive, because they understand that some things are required in order to reach your goals. Capricorn has no objections to Ophiuchus spending time for themselves, but will gladly listen to their complaints if they need someone to listen. Capricorn will be a grounding influence for Ophiuchus if they are in one of their moods. These two appear to be a well-balanced power pair.
Ophiuchus (November 29 to December 17)
When it comes to love, not every zodiac sign can effectively date another zodiac sign. After all, your worst characteristics will almost certainly be reflected back to you. Wong, on the other hand, believes that a couple with two Ophiuchus signs would have a lot of fun together. “Because an Ophiuchus is always looking for pleasure, it seems logical that they are particularly compatible with their type, especially when traveling,” she explains.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Cancer is no exception for Ophiuchus, who seems to perform well with sensitive Water signs. Cancer and Ophiuchus, according to Wong, are a wonderful match because both are devoted and possessive signs. “The latter trait, according to Wong, occasionally borders on jealousy.” It does, however, pave the way for physical and emotional fulfillment, both of which are essential for a happy partnership. Cancer, like Pisces, is content to perform the supporting role, which Ophiuchus values much in a mate. Overall, Cancer and Ophiuchus are a solid match because Cancer will make Ophiuchus feel at ease, while Ophiuchus will make Cancer feel needed.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
“Libras and Ophiuchus get along swimmingly because Libras, a mellow combination of Capricorn and Pisces, are intellectuals, creative thinkers, and art lovers, according to Wong. They’ll hit it off immediately away and have enthralling discussions that will last for hours. Ophiuchus and Libra both have a “a desire to go to new places and explore the unknown Another relationship-oriented sign, Libra, is obsessed with keeping their spouse happy. Libra will provide space for Ophiuchus if they require it. Libra is more than happy to reassure them and shower them with attention if they need it. These two signals are likely to begin as friends before moving on to a more romantic level.
What is the appearance of Ophiuchus?
Ophiuchus is located northwest of the Milky Way’s center, between Aquila, Serpens, Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Hercules. Scorpius to the west and Sagittarius to the east make up the southern portion. Summer is the greatest time to see it in the northern hemisphere. It’s the polar opposite of Orion. Ophiuchus is represented as a man holding a serpent, with his body dividing the Serpens constellation into two sections, Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda. Ophiuchus is a constellation that spans the equator, with the most of its territory in the southern hemisphere. Rasalhague, the brightest star in the constellation, is located towards the northern edge of Ophiuchus, with a declination of about +12 30 degrees. The constellation reaches 30 degrees declination to the south. Within Ophiuchus, portions of the ecliptic are south of 20 degrees declination.
What is the Ophiuchus birthstone?
If you’re looking for a gift for someone born under the new Ophiuchus star sign, though, you could have a little more difficulty.
The controversial 13th sign will be absent from most zodiac jewelry collections, but how about a piece of birthstone jewelry instead?
According to the ‘new’ star sign dates, the Ophiuchus birthstone for November would be topaz or citrine, and for December it would be turquoise, tanzanite, or blue zircon.
With that in mind, scroll down to see some of our favorite Ophiuchus birthstone jewelry picks!