Hydrus
Encyclopedia
Hydrus is a small constellation
in the southern sky, created in the sixteenth century. Its name means "male water snake
", and it should not be confused with Hydra
, a much larger constellation which represents a female water snake.
from the observations of Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser
and Frederick de Houtman
and it first appeared on a 35-cm diameter celestial globe published in 1597 (or 1598) in Amsterdam by Plancius with Jodocus Hondius
. The first depiction of this constellation in a celestial atlas was in Johann Bayer
's Uranometria
of 1603.
is known as Foo Pih. The constellation contains IC 1717. In August 2010, a European astronomical team working at the La Silla Observatory
in Chile announced that they had confirmed the presence of at least five planets orbiting the star HD 10180
in Hydrus.
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
in the southern sky, created in the sixteenth century. Its name means "male water snake
Water snake
Different snakes are called water snakes. Most are colubrids. "Water snake" is also sometimes used as a descriptive term for any snakes that spend a significant time in or near fresh water, such as any species belonging to the family Acrochordidae...
", and it should not be confused with Hydra
Hydra (constellation)
Hydra is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, measuring 1303 square degrees. It has a long history, having been included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy. It is commonly represented as a water snake...
, a much larger constellation which represents a female water snake.
History
Hydrus was one of twelve constellations created by Petrus PlanciusPetrus Plancius
Petrus Plancius was a Dutch astronomer, cartographer and clergyman. He was born as Pieter Platevoet in Dranouter, now in Heuvelland, West Flanders. He studied theology in Germany and England...
from the observations of Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser
Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser
Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser , a.k.a. Petrus Theodori, was a Dutch navigator who mapped the southern sky....
and Frederick de Houtman
Frederick de Houtman
Frederick de Houtman , or Frederik de Houtman, was a Dutch explorer who sailed along the Western coast of Australia en route to Batavia.-Biography:...
and it first appeared on a 35-cm diameter celestial globe published in 1597 (or 1598) in Amsterdam by Plancius with Jodocus Hondius
Jodocus Hondius
Jodocus Hondius , sometimes called Jodocus Hondius the Elder to distinguish him from his son Henricus Hondius II, was a Flemish artist, engraver, and cartographer...
. The first depiction of this constellation in a celestial atlas was in Johann Bayer
Johann Bayer
Johann Bayer was a German lawyer and uranographer . He was born in Rain, Bavaria, in 1572. He began his study of philosophy in Ingolstadt in 1592, and moved later to Augsburg to begin work as a lawyer. He grew interested in astronomy during his time in Augsburg...
's Uranometria
Uranometria
Uranometria is the short title of a star atlas produced by Johann Bayer.It was published in Augsburg, Germany, in 1603 by Christophorus Mangus under the full title Uranometria : omnium asterismorum continens schemata, nova methodo delineata, aereis laminis expressa. This translates to...
of 1603.
Notable features
The only star in Hydrus that anyone seems to have named is γ Hyi, which in ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
is known as Foo Pih. The constellation contains IC 1717. In August 2010, a European astronomical team working at the La Silla Observatory
La Silla Observatory
La Silla Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Chile with three telescopes built and operated by the European Southern Observatory organisation, and several others are partly maintained by ESO...
in Chile announced that they had confirmed the presence of at least five planets orbiting the star HD 10180
HD 10180
HD 10180 is a solar-type star. A research team led by Christophe Lovis of the University of Geneva discovered that the star has at least five planets, and possibly as many as seven. It is 127 light-years away, in the southern constellation of Hydrus...
in Hydrus.