Hercules (constellation) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hercules
Constellation
List of stars in Hercules
Abbreviation	Her genitive = Herculis
Pronunciation	genitive
Symbolism	Heracles
Right ascension	17^h
Declination	+30°
Quadrant	NQ3
Area	1225 sq. deg. (5th)
Main stars	14, 22
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	106
Stars with planets	15
Stars brighter than 3.00^m	2
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)	9
Brightest star	β Her (Kornephoros) (2.78^m)
Messier objects	2
Meteor showers	Tau Herculids
Bordering constellations	Draco Boötes Corona Borealis Serpens Caput Ophiuchus Aquila Sagitta Vulpecula Lyra
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −50°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July.

Hercules is a constellation in the northern part of the sky. It represents the mythological Hercules of Greek mythology. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by an astronomer known as Ptolemy around the year 150 CE. It is now one of the 88 modern constellations on the International Astronomical Union's list.

Images for kids

Traditional view of the Hercules constellation highlighting the quadrangle which forms the Keystone asterism.
An alternative way to connect the stars of the constellation Hercules, suggested by H.A. Rey. Here, Hercules is shown with his head at the top.
Hercules as depicted in Urania's Mirror, a set of constellation cards published in London c.1825. The figure appears upside down in the sky relative to neighbouring constellations. The former constellation of Cerberus is held by Hercules before its stars were part of the constellation.