Ophiuchus constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Ophiuchus (Oph) is a equatorial constellation covering 948 square degrees, number 11 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is Rasalhague, a white giant, magnitude 2.1. It is best seen in the evening in July. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Aquila, Hercules, Libra, Scorpius, Serpens, Sagittarius.
Area: 948 square degrees, 11 of 88 · Neighbours: Aquila, Hercules, Libra, Scorpius, Serpens, Sagittarius · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Ophiuchus
- 1
When to look
The best time is in July in the evening: in the south, around 23:00.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Aquila, Hercules, Libra, Scorpius.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Rasalhague (2.1ᵐ), Sabik (2.4ᵐ), ζ Oph (2.6ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — february | in the southeast, around 06:26 | before dawn |
| March — may | in the south, around 04:47 | before dawn |
| June | in the south, around 00:36 | around midnight |
| July | in the south, around 23:00 | in the evening |
| August — october | in the southwest, around 21:48 | in the evening |
| November | in the southwest, around 17:28 | low, needs an open horizon |
| December | — | not visible, behind the Sun |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Rasalhague · α Oph | white giant | 2.1ᵐ |
| Sabik · η Oph | white main-sequence star | 2.4ᵐ |
| ζ Oph | blue main-sequence star | 2.6ᵐ |
| Cebalrai · β Oph | orange giant | 2.8ᵐ |
| κ Oph | orange giant | 3.2ᵐ |
| Yed Posterior · ε Oph | yellow giant | 3.2ᵐ |
| 51 Oph | blue-white main-sequence star | 4.8ᵐ |
Ophiuchus FAQ
When is the best time to see Ophiuchus?
Where is Ophiuchus in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Ophiuchus?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0