Ephemeris: 04/25/2024 – Finding Hydra, the longest constellation

This is Ephemeris for Thursday, April 25th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours exactly, setting at 8:41, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:39. The Moon, 2 days past full, will rise at 11:00 this evening.

Stretching from midway up the sky in the southwest to low in the southeast at 10 p.m. can be found the constellation of Hydra the water snake, the longest constellation of all. Unlike the monster of the same name that Hercules slew, this Hydra has but one head, which is its most distinctive part. The head of Hydra is located between the bright stars Procyon in the southwest. Which is above the brighter star Sirius low in the sky, and Regulus in Leo the lion, higher in the south. Hydra’s head is a small but distinctive group of 6 stars that make a drooping loop to the right. The rest of Hydra wends its way in a reasonably straight line down to the southeastern horizon.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT–4 hours). They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Finding the constellation of Hydra the water snake. It’s in the southern sky. Its head can be found between the stars Procyon and Regulus in the southwest. Its body stretches down to the horizon in the southeast. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.