Ophiuchus (disambiguation) facts for kids

Ophiuchus is a large constellation in the night sky. Its name means "serpent-bearer" in Greek, because it looks like a person holding a snake. This constellation is often seen as a healer or a wise figure.

What is the Ophiuchus Constellation?

Ophiuchus is one of the 88 modern constellations. It is located near the celestial equator, which is like the Earth's equator but in space. You can find it between the constellations of Hercules and Sagittarius. It is best seen in the Northern Hemisphere during summer and in the Southern Hemisphere during winter.

How to Spot Ophiuchus

This constellation is quite large, but it does not have many super bright stars. Its brightest star is called Rasalhague, which means "the head of the serpent-charmer." Another famous star in Ophiuchus is Barnard's Star. This star is one of the closest stars to our Sun, and it moves very fast across the sky!

The Story Behind Ophiuchus

In ancient Greek myths, Ophiuchus is often linked to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. The story says that Asclepius was so skilled at healing that he could even bring people back from the dead! This made the god Hades, who ruled the underworld, very upset. Hades complained to Zeus, the king of the gods. To keep balance, Zeus placed Asclepius in the sky as the constellation Ophiuchus, holding the snake that was a symbol of healing.

Ophiuchus in Astrology

While Ophiuchus is a constellation, it is sometimes talked about as a "thirteenth sign" in the zodiac. The zodiac is a band of constellations that the Sun appears to pass through during the year. In traditional Western astrology, there are 12 zodiac signs. However, because the Earth's position has shifted slightly over thousands of years, the Sun actually passes through Ophiuchus for about 18 days each year (usually from late November to mid-December). Some modern astrological systems include Ophiuchus, but it is not part of the widely known 12-sign zodiac.

Other Meanings of Ophiuchus

The name Ophiuchus is also used in other ways:

• Ophiuchus_(band) is the name of an English folk band.