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Ser
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Serpentis
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the Snake
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''Serpens Caput'': 16 h<BR/>''Serpens Cauda'': 18
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''Serpens Caput'': +10°<BR/>''Serpens Cauda'': &minus5
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637
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23rd
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1
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α Ser (Unukalhai)
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263
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"http://wwwinformationdelightinfo/encyclopedia/entry/Scutum" class="copylinks">Scutum
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80
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80
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July
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(the snake) is one of the 88 modern
Constellation s, and was also one of the 48 listed by
Ptolemy . Among the modern constellations it is unique in being split into two pieces, '''Serpens Caput''' (representing the head of the snake) to the west and '''Serpens Cauda''' (representing the tail) to the east. Between these two pieces lies the constellation of
Ophiuchus , the serpent holder.
Since Serpens is regarded as one constellation despite being split into two halves, the ordering of
Bayer Designation s goes in order of brightness among both constellations.
Only one of the stars in Serpens is brighter than third
Magnitude , so the constellation is not easy to perceive.
α Serpentis , named Unukalhai, is in the head part.
δ Serpentis , also in the head, is a double star only 27 light-years from Earth.
θ Serpentis , in the tail, is also double.
Stars in the head include
α ,
β ,
γ ,
δ ,
ε ,
ι ,
κ ,
λ ,
μ ,
π ,
ρ ,
σ ,
τ ,
χ and
ω Serpentis . Stars in the tail include
ζ ,
η ,
θ ,
ν ,
ξ , and
ο Serpentis .
M5 , a
Globular Cluster approximately 8° southwest of α Serpentis in the head, is among the most beautiful in the sky.
M16 is a young
Open Cluster associated with the
Eagle Nebula , a
Diffuse Nebula which is a region of current star formation in the tail.
Part of the
Milky Way passes through the tail, as illustrated by the shaded regions of the star map.
Serpens is the snake being grasped by
Ophiuchus , the Snake-Handler, and is thus very closely associated with it. Both were listed as constellations by Ptolemy. Originally, Serpens and Ophiuchus were considered a single Snake-Holder constellation, out of which developed an associated myth of the founding of medicine.
Source:
The Bright Star Catalogue, 5th Revised Ed.,
The Hipparcos Catalogue, ESA SP-1200
