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Hydra constellation

Hydra is a constellation near the celestial equator. Its brightest star is Alphard. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.

  • Springbest seen
  • Alphardbrightest star, magnitude 2.0
  • HyaHydra
Show on the sky map
The constellation Hydra in the starry sky: its figure and its bright stars Spica, Virgo — magnitude 1.0. Open on the sky mapRegulus, Leo — magnitude 1.4. Open on the sky mapRegor, Vela — magnitude 1.8. Open on the sky mapAlphard, Hydra — magnitude 2.0. Open on the sky mapAlphardMenkent, Centaurus — magnitude 2.1. Open on the sky mapDenebola, Leo — magnitude 2.1. Open on the sky mapNaos, Puppis — magnitude 2.2. Open on the sky mapSuhail, Vela — magnitude 2.2. Open on the sky mapGienah, Corvus — magnitude 2.6. Open on the sky mapKraz, Corvus — magnitude 2.6. Open on the sky mapμ Velorum — magnitude 2.7. Open on the sky mapPorrima, Virgo — magnitude 2.7. Open on the sky mapι Centauri — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapZubenelgenubi, Libra — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapTureis, Puppis — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapVindemiatrix, Virgo — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapAlgorab, Corvus — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapγ Hydrae — magnitude 3.0. Open on the sky mapζ Hydrae — magnitude 3.1. Open on the sky mapν Hydrae — magnitude 3.1. Open on the sky mapπ Hydrae — magnitude 3.3. Open on the sky mapAshlesha, Hydra — magnitude 3.4. Open on the sky mapAshleshaξ Hydrae — magnitude 3.5. Open on the sky mapλ Hydrae — magnitude 3.6. Open on the sky mapμ Hydrae — magnitude 3.8. Open on the sky mapθ Hydrae — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapUkdah, Hydra — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapC Hydrae — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapZhang, Hydra — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapMinazal, Hydra — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapβ Hydrae — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapη Hydrae — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapD Hydrae — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapρ Hydrae — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapE Hydrae — magnitude 4.4. Open on the sky mapMinchir, Hydra — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky mapτ² Hydrae — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky mapUkdah, Hydra — magnitude 4.6. Open on the sky map N ↑← E
North is up, east is left — this is how the constellation looks in the sky. Click a star to open it on the sky map.

How to find the constellation Hydra

The largest constellation in the sky: a long chain of stars stretches from Cancer almost to Libra. Its main star is orange Alphard.

Best seen in spring: in March around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 28°.

LocationVisibility
40° NMadrid, New York, Beijingrises and sets, fully visible
52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsawrises and sets, fully visible
60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburgonly partly visible — its southern part never rises above the horizon

Bright stars of the constellation

StarMagnitudeColorDistance
Alphardα Hydrae 2.0orange—
γ Hydrae 3.0orange—
ζ Hydrae 3.1orange—
ν Hydrae 3.1orange—
π Hydrae 3.3orange—
Ashleshaε Hydrae 3.4yellow—
ξ Hydrae 3.5orange—
λ Hydrae 3.6orange—
μ Hydrae 3.8orange—
θ Hydrae 3.9bluish white—
Ukdahι Hydrae 3.9orange—
C Hydrae 3.9bluish white—

Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.

Questions

How do you find the constellation Hydra in the sky?

The largest constellation in the sky: a long chain of stars stretches from Cancer almost to Libra. Its main star is orange Alphard.

When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Hydra?

In spring: in March around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.

What is the brightest star in the constellation Hydra?

Alphard: magnitude 2.0, orange.

How many stars are there in the constellation Hydra?

With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 121 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.

Spring constellations

Find it in the sky tonightA sky map over your city: where the constellation Hydra is now and when it will rise.
Open the sky map