Hydrus

Hydrus (Hydra, also referred to as "male Hydra" or "little Hydra") is a minor southern constellation. The constellation was one of twelve constellations created by Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman between 1595 and 1597, and it first appeared in Johann Bayer's Uranometria of 1603.

It should not be confused with Hydra. "Hydrus" is a name for a type of water snake. The constellation Hydra represents the Lernaean Hydra of Greek mythology, a serpentine water monster that could grow two more heads when one was severed.

Notable Deep-sky Objects

• IC 1717

History

Hydrus was named, circa 1595, by two Dutch navigators, Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman. It was charted in Johann Bayer's Uranometria in 1603.

The only star in Hydrus that anyone seems to have named is γ Hyi, which in China was known as Foo Pih.

Citations

References

• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

• Chandra information about Hydrus
• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Hydrus
• Star Tales – Hydrus