Oph - Ophiuchus, the Serpent Handler

Intro and Visual description

Between Scorpius and Hercules.

Special Stars

Contains Barnard’s star, the third closest star to the earth (after the Sun and Alpha Centauri). Barnard’s star is a dim red dwarf 6 light-years away.

Origin and History

Ophiuchus is included in the ancient star catalogs of Eudoxos of Knidos, Aratos of Soli, and Ptolemy.

Skylore, Literature and Culture

Represents Aesculapius, the Roman god of medicine and healing.