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Serpens constellation

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

  • Summerbest seen
  • Unukalhaibrightest star, magnitude 2.6
  • SerSerpens
Show on the sky map
The constellation Serpens in the starry sky: its figure and its bright stars Rasalhague, Ophiuchus — magnitude 2.1. Open on the sky mapSabik, Ophiuchus — magnitude 2.4. Open on the sky mapSaik, Ophiuchus — magnitude 2.5. Open on the sky mapZubeneschamali, Libra — magnitude 2.6. Open on the sky mapUnukalhai, Serpens — magnitude 2.6. Open on the sky mapUnukalhaiYed Prior, Ophiuchus — magnitude 2.7. Open on the sky mapCebalrai, Ophiuchus — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapKornephoros, Hercules — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapRasalgethi, Hercules — magnitude 2.8. Open on the sky mapOkab, Aquila — magnitude 3.0. Open on the sky mapη Serpentis — magnitude 3.2. Open on the sky mapμ Serpentis — magnitude 3.5. Open on the sky mapξ Serpentis — magnitude 3.5. Open on the sky mapNasak Shamiya, Serpens — magnitude 3.6. Open on the sky mapε Serpentis — magnitude 3.7. Open on the sky mapNasak Yamani, Serpens — magnitude 3.8. Open on the sky mapγ Serpentis — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapGudja, Serpens — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapο Serpentis — magnitude 4.2. Open on the sky mapν Serpentis — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapλ Serpentis — magnitude 4.4. Open on the sky mapι Serpentis — magnitude 4.5. 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 Serpens

Use its brightest star as a guide: Unukalhai (magnitude 2.6). In June around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 42°.

LocationVisibility
40° NMadrid, New York, Beijingrises and sets, fully visible
52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsawrises and sets, fully visible
60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburgrises and sets, fully visible

Bright stars of the constellation

StarMagnitudeColorDistance
Unukalhaiα Serpentis 2.6orange—
η Serpentis 3.2orange—
μ Serpentis 3.5bluish white—
ξ Serpentis 3.5white—
Nasak Shamiyaβ Serpentis 3.6bluish white—
ε Serpentis 3.7bluish white—
Nasak Yamaniδ Serpentis 3.8white—
γ Serpentis 3.9white—
Gudjaκ Serpentis 4.1red—
ο Serpentis 4.2bluish white—
ν Serpentis 4.3bluish white—
λ Serpentis 4.4yellow—

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 Serpens in the sky?

Use its brightest star as a guide: Unukalhai (magnitude 2.6). In June around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 42°.

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

In summer: in June 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 Serpens?

Unukalhai: magnitude 2.6, orange.

How many stars are there in the constellation Serpens?

With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 65 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.

Summer constellations

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