Constellation · best in March evenings

Hydra

Genitive Hydrae · Hya

Not above the horizon after darkRises 06:07 · not up after dark

Join the waitlistSkyMate is coming to iPhone

Where is Hydra?

Times for LondonChange city

Below the horizon after dark tonight. Rises 06:07.

Rises: 06:07
Highest: 10:28
Sets: 14:53
Best after dark: —

How to find Hydra

Start with Alphard, Hydra’s brightest star (mag 2.0). Nearby constellations include Crater, Antlia, Sextans and Pyxis.

Its center is at right ascension 10h 27m, declination −19°. Use the chart above: north is up and east is to the left, as when you face south from the Northern Hemisphere.

Brightest star: Alphard

Best time to see Hydra

Hydra is highest in the evening sky, around 10 pm, in March. A month or two either side it is still well placed, earlier or later in the night. All of it rises above the horizon from latitudes of about 8° N to 46° S.

From London tonight, Hydra isn’t above the horizon while the sky is dark. It rises at 06:07 and sets at 14:53, in daylight or twilight.

This is position and timing only: clouds, haze and light pollution aren’t included.

Seeing Hydra

Eyes

Its brightest star, Alphard, is easy to see. Tracing the whole pattern is easier away from bright lights.

Binoculars

Binoculars show many more stars than your eye, and bring out star clusters and brighter nebulae inside it.

Telescope

The constellation is far too large for a telescope’s view. Use one for the clusters, nebulae and galaxies inside it.

What you’re likely to see, not what a space telescope photographs. General guidance from catalog brightness and size, not a forecast for tonight.

About

Hydra (genitive Hydrae, abbreviated Hya) is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union, which together cover the whole sky. Its brightest star is Alphard, magnitude 2.0.

SkyMate’s web catalog includes 1 named star and 3 deep-sky objects in Hydra.

Brightest stars and objects in Hydra

Questions

What is the brightest star in Hydra?

Alphard, at magnitude 2.0.

When is Hydra visible?

Hydra is highest in the evening sky, around 10 pm, in March. In the months either side it is still well placed, earlier or later in the night.

Can I see Hydra from where I live?

All of Hydra rises above the horizon from latitudes of about 8° N to 46° S. Outside that range, part or all of it stays below the horizon.

Star in itAlphard Object in itMessier 48 Object in itSouthern Pinwheel Galaxy Another constellationAndromeda Another constellationAntlia GuideStargazing for beginners

Sources: IAU; Wikidata (CC0); SkyMate. Positions computed for your place and time with astronomy-engine. Data & Licences