Star lore
Hydrus
Direct answer
Hydrus is a small far-southern constellation representing a water snake near the south celestial pole.
Hydrus is the Southern Water Snake, positioned between the Magellanic Clouds and the pole.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Related
- Horologium, Hydra, Indus, Lacerta
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The story behind Hydrus
Hydrus originated with late-sixteenth-century Dutch southern-sky mapping and appeared in Bayer's atlas.
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The Road of the Sun
Where the twelve signs came from, and why they carry the names they do.
Why Hydrus matters
Hydrus’s circumpolar southern location supplies orientation among Tucana, Mensa, Eridanus, and Octans.
Hydrus in practice: an example
Beta Hydri is a nearby Sun-like subgiant and the constellation's brightest star.
Where readings of Hydrus go wrong
Hydrus is not a southern extension of Hydra; the IAU recognizes them as separate constellations.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- International Astronomical Union: The Constellations - Official names, abbreviations, and boundaries for the 88 modern constellations.
- NASA Space Place: What Are Constellations? - NASA introduction to constellation regions, patterns, visibility, and seasonal sky changes.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Circle the southern pole through Hydrus
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Common questions
What is Hydrus?
Hydrus is a small far-southern constellation representing a water snake near the south celestial pole.
What do people get wrong about Hydrus?
Hydrus is not a southern extension of Hydra; the IAU recognizes them as separate constellations.
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