Ophiuchus

Ophiuchus is a constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere and is one of the 88 modern constellations. Its name comes from Greek and means the serpent-bearer, typically depicted as a man grasping a serpent with one hand while holding a staff with the other. The figure is associated with Asclepius, the healer in Greek mythology, and the celestial image often shows a serpent intertwined with the staff.

Ophiuchus lies along the ecliptic, the path the Sun follows across the sky. Because of its position, the Sun passes through this region for a brief portion of the year. In astrology, Ophiuchus is sometimes proposed as a 13th zodiac sign, but most zodiacal systems continue to use twelve signs and do not include the constellation in the formal zodiac.

The brightest stars in Ophiuchus include Rasalhague (Alpha Ophiuchi) and Sabik (Eta Ophiuchi). Zeta Ophiuchi is another notable star, a blue-white runaway that stands out in the region. The constellation also contains several deep-sky objects, including dark nebulae and star-forming regions, which contribute to its interesting appearance in dark-sky skies.

In astronomical history, Ophiuchus is one of the constellations cataloged by ancient astronomers and was retained in the modern 88-constellation scheme approved by the International Astronomical Union. Its official boundaries were defined by the IAU in 1930.

For observers, Ophiuchus is visible from much of the world and, in the northern hemisphere, is best seen in summer evenings, appearing low in the southern sky. In the southern hemisphere it is more prominent during other parts of the year.