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Hydra (constellation) facts for kids

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Hydra
Constellation
Hydra
List of stars in Hydra
Abbreviation Hya
Genitive Hydrae
Pronunciation
  • genitive
Symbolism the sea serpent
Right ascension 8–15
Declination −20
Quadrant SQ2
Area 1303 sq. deg. (1st)
Main stars 17
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
75
Stars with planets 16
Stars brighter than 3.00m 2
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) 4
Brightest star Alphard (α Hya) (1.98m)
Messier objects 3
Meteor showers
  • Alpha Hydrids
  • Sigma Hydrids
Bordering
constellations
Visible at latitudes between +54° and −83°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of April.
Hydra IAU
Map of the constellation

Hydra is a constellation that has parts in the northern sky and parts in the southern sky. It is the biggest constellation. It represents a water snake. The astronomer named Ptolemy listed Hydra when he made a list of 48 constellations. It is also one of the 88 modern constellations that were made by the International Astronomical Union.

Even though Hydra is a very big constellation, it only has one bright star. This star is named Alphard. Alphard means "the solitary one" in Arabic. Hydra actually has little to identify it exept for a cluster of stars at its head.


Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hidra (constelación) para niños

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