Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer (Oph)

The constellation of Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, is best viewed in the Summer season during the month of July for mid-northern latitudes. It's brightest star is Rasalhague at magnitude 2.08. The boundary of the Ophiuchus constellation contains 19 stars that host known exoplanets.

The naked eye can generally see up to magnitude 6 (magnitude 8 with perfect eyes) under ideal dark-sky conditions.

1. Meaning:
2. Serpent Bearer

1. Genitive:
2. Ophiuchi

1. Abbreviation:
2. Oph

1. Constellation Family:
2. Hercules

1. Best Viewing Month*:
2. July

1. Right Ascension (avg):
2. 17h 2m

1. Declination (avg):
2. -2° 21'

1. Brightest Star:
2. Rasalhague (2.08m)

1. Exoplanet Host Stars:
2. 19

1. Triple Stars:
2. 1

1. Herschel objects:
2. NGC 6171, NGC 6235, NGC 6284, NGC 6287, NGC 6293, NGC 6304, NGC 6316, NGC 6342, NGC 6355, NGC 6356, NGC 6369, NGC 6401, NGC 6426, NGC 6517, NGC 6633,

1. Other:
2. Supernova, protoplanetary system

* For southern latitudes, flip the season listed. For example, if a constellation is listed as best viewed in the summer in the month of July, in the southern hemisphere the constellation would be best viewed in the winter in January and would be upside-down.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed.

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