Ophiuchus

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List of stars in Ophiuchus
Abbreviation:	Oph
Genitive:	Ophiuchi
Symbology:	the snake-holder / the healer
Right ascension:	17 h
Declination:	0°
Area:	948 sq. deg. (11th)
Main stars:	10
Bayer/Flamsteed stars:	59
Stars known to have planets:	4
Bright stars:	5
Nearby stars:	8
Brightest star:	α Oph (Ras Alhague) (2.1m)
Nearest star:	Barnard's Star (5.96 ly)
Messier objects:	7
Meteor showers:	Ophiuchids Northern May Ophiuchids Southern May Ophiuchids Theta Ophiuchids
Bordering constellations:	Hercules Serpens Caput Libra Scorpius Sagittarius Serpens Cauda Aquila
Visible at latitudes between +80° and −80° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July

Ophiuchus (Οφιούχος IPA: /ˌɒfiːˈuːkəs/) is one of the 88 constellations and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. Ophiuchus was formerly referred to as Serpentarius (/ˌsɚpənˈtɛəriəs/), the former originating in Greek and the latter in Latin, both meaning "serpent-holder". It is a large constellation located around the celestial equator between Aquila, Serpens and Hercules, northwest of the center of the Milky Way. The southern part lies between Scorpius to the west and Sagittarius to the east. Of the 13 zodiacal constellations (constellations that contain the Sun during the course of the year), Ophiuchus is the only one not counted as an astrological sign.

It is best visible in the northern summer and located opposite Orion in the sky. Ophiuchus is depicted as a man grasping a serpent; the interposition of his body divides the snake constellation Serpens into two parts, Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda, which are nonetheless counted as one constellation.