Ophiuchus

Ophiuchus (Greek, “the serpent holder”), large equatorial constellation located south of Hercules and north-east of Sagittarius. The name has been in use since ancient times and is identified with the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius. It is located on the ecliptic, making it a zodiacal constellation, though it is the only one of the 13 which is not used in astrology. The southern region of Ophiuchus is noted for its star clusters and was the site of the last supernova seen in the Milky Way, which appeared in 1604. It contains several interesting stars, in particular Barnard’s Star, which astronomers believe may have planets.