When is the best time to observe Zeta Hydrae?

Zeta Hydrae is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Zeta Hydrae located in the sky?

Zeta Hydrae lies in the constellation Hidra at right ascension 08h 55m and declination +05° 57′.

What telescope do I need to see Zeta Hydrae?

At magnitude 3.1, Zeta Hydrae is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Zeta Hydrae — Estrella en Hidra

Magnitud 3.1^m Star Hidra (Hya) Visible

Mapa Estelar + Lista + Plan

Acerca de Zeta Hya

Descripción

Zeta Hydrae is a gigante amarilla of tipo espectral G9II-III at magnitude 3.11 en Hidra. Located a unos 167 años luz de la Tierra, it has a luminosity of roughly 132 veces la solar and a temperatura superficial of about 4,900 K. It lies in the body of the Water Snake, the longest constellation in the sky.

Consejos de Observación

Zeta Hya lies in the long, winding body of Hydra, southeast of the distinctive head asterism. The head of Hydra (a small group of stars south of Cancer) is easy to find, and Zeta lies along the body stretching eastward. Mejor observación from February through May. Hydra's body extends so far that it takes several months for the whole constellation to clear the horizon.

Historia

Zeta Hydrae has no traditional proper name. Hydra is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, stretching nearly 100 degrees across the sky. It represents the Lernaean Hydra, the multi-headed water serpent slain by Hercules as one of his twelve labors.

Datos Curiosos

Hydra is so long that when its head is rising in the east, its tail is still below the western horizon. The constellation takes over six hours to fully cross the meridian. Zeta Hya sits roughly at the constellation's midpoint.