Hydra, the Water Monster (Hya)

The constellation of Hydra, the Water Monster, is best viewed in the Spring season during the month of April for mid-northern latitudes. It's brightest star is Alphard at magnitude 1.98. The boundary of the Hydra constellation contains 23 stars that host known exoplanets.

The naked eye can generally see up to magnitude 6 (magnitude 8 with perfect eyes under ideal super dark-sky conditions).

1. Meaning:
2. Water Monster

1. Genitive:
2. Hydrae

1. Abbreviation:
2. Hya

1. Constellation Family:
2. Hercules

1. Best Viewing Month*:
2. April

1. Right Ascension (avg):
2. 9h 8m

1. Declination (avg):
2. -11° 41'

1. Brightest Star:
2. Alphard (1.98m)

1. Exoplanet Host Stars:
2. 23

1. Messier objects:
2. M48, M68, M83,

1. Caldwell objects:
2. C59, C66,

1. Herschel objects:
2. NGC 2548, NGC 2811, NGC 3242, NGC 3621, NGC 5694,

1. Other:
2. 2 Carbon stars

* For southern latitudes, flip the season listed. For example, if a constellation is listed as best viewed in the summer in the month of July, in the southern hemisphere the constellation would be best viewed in the winter in January and would be upside-down.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed.

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