SkyRef / Constellations

The Hydrus constellation

The Lesser Water Snake. Best placed in August. It is deep in the southern sky and never rises for most of the northern hemisphere.

Where and when

Also known asthe Lesser Water Snake
Best monthAugust
Right ascension2.3h
Declination-72°
Line segments1

Finding it

Hydrus, known in English as the Lesser Water Snake, is centred near right ascension 2.3 hours, declination -72°. It is deep in the southern sky and never rises for most of the northern hemisphere.

It reaches its highest point in the sky around local midnight in August, which is when it is easiest to pick out. Earlier in the year it rises before dawn; later, it is already setting in the evening.

Bright stars in this part of the sky

StarDesignationMagnitude
Achernarα Eri0.46

See it on the live map

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Other constellations

AndromedaAntliaApusAquariusAquilaAraAriesAurigaBoötesCaelumCamelopardalisCancerCanes VenaticiCanis MajorCanis MinorCapricornusCarinaCassiopeiaCentaurusCepheusCetusChamaeleonCircinusColumbaComa BerenicesCorona AustrinaCorona BorealisCorvusCraterCruxCygnusDelphinusDoradoDracoEquuleusEridanusFornaxGeminiGrusHercules