description Hydrus Overview
Hydrus is a small constellation of the far southern sky, introduced by the Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius in 1597 and now among the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. It represents a lesser water snake, the male counterpart to Hydra, the large water snake of Greek mythology, and it lies near the south celestial pole. The figure was derived from observations by the Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman, and its brightest star is Beta Hydri.
help Hydrus FAQ
Where can Hydrus be seen?
Hydrus is a small constellation in the far southern sky. It is most easily observed from the Southern Hemisphere and is difficult or impossible to see from much of northern Europe.
Who introduced the constellation Hydrus?
Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius introduced Hydrus in 1597. The constellation was later retained among the 88 official constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
What does Hydrus represent?
Hydrus represents a lesser water snake. It is described as the male counterpart to Hydra, the much larger water-snake constellation.
Is Hydrus the same as Hydra?
No. Hydrus is a separate southern constellation, while Hydra is a long constellation covering a much larger area of sky. Their names and snake themes are related, but they are different official constellations.
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