Ophiuchus constellation
Ophiuchus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the serpent bearer. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 9 June, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 66°N to 77°S.
Ophiuchus at a glance
- Represents
- the serpent bearer
- Highest at midnight
- 9 June
- Highest at 9 pm
- 24 July
- Seen whole from
- 66°N to 77°S
- Brightest star
- Rasalhague
- Stars in the figure
- 7 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
When to see Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus is highest in the sky at midnight around 9 June and at 9 pm around 24 July. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 9:30 AM |
| 15 February | 7:30 AM |
| 15 March | 5:40 AM |
| 15 April | 3:40 AM |
| 15 May | 1:40 AM |
| 15 June | 11:30 PM |
| 15 July | 9:30 PM |
| 15 August | 7:30 PM |
| 15 September | 5:30 PM |
| 15 October | 3:30 PM |
| 15 November | 1:30 PM |
| 15 December | 11:30 AM |
Where to look for Ophiuchus
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Ophiuchus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 9 June, 46° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Ophiuchus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 9 June, 59° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Ophiuchus
| Star | Magnitude |
|---|---|
| Rasalhague | 2.08 |
Ophiuchus in myth and history
Ophiuchus is usually linked with Asclepius, the healer of Greek myth, who holds the serpent Serpens in his hands.
Ophiuchus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Ophiuchus and the zodiac
In 2026, the Sun is in front of the stars of Ophiuchus from 30 November to 18 December. It is the 13th constellation on the Sun's path, but it is not a sign of the tropical zodiac.
Constellations next to Ophiuchus
Find Ophiuchus in your sky
Questions about Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus is highest in the sky at midnight around 9 June and at 9 pm around 24 July. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Ophiuchus rises above the horizon from 66°N to 77°S, and at least part of it rises everywhere on Earth.
Rasalhague is the brightest star in Ophiuchus, at magnitude 2.08.
Ophiuchus represents the serpent bearer. Ophiuchus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
No. The Sun is in front of Ophiuchus from 30 November to 18 December in 2026, but the tropical zodiac has only 12 signs, and Ophiuchus is not one of them.