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Hydra is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, measuring 1303 square degrees. Also one of the longest at over 100 degrees, its southern end abuts [[Libra]] and Centaurus and its northern end borders Cancer.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. It should not be confused with the similarly named constellation of Hydrus. <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_%28constellation%29 Hydra]</ref> | [[File:375px-Hydra IAU.svg.png|thumb|Hydra]] | ||
[[Hydra]] is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, measuring 1303 square degrees. Also one of the longest at over 100 degrees, its southern end abuts [[Libra]] and Centaurus and its northern end borders Cancer.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. It should not be confused with the similarly named constellation of Hydrus. <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_%28constellation%29 Hydra]</ref> | |||
Despite its size, Hydra contains only one reasonably bright star, Alphard, designated Alpha Hydrae. It is an orange giant of magnitude 2.0, 177 light-years from Earth. Its traditional name means "the solitary one". Beta Hydrae is a blue-white star of magnitude 4.3, 365 light-years from Earth. Gamma Hydrae is a yellow giant of magnitude 3.0, 132 light-years from Earth. <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_%28constellation%29 Hydra]</ref> | Despite its size, Hydra contains only one reasonably bright star, Alphard, designated Alpha Hydrae. It is an orange giant of magnitude 2.0, 177 light-years from Earth. Its traditional name means "the solitary one". Beta Hydrae is a blue-white star of magnitude 4.3, 365 light-years from Earth. Gamma Hydrae is a yellow giant of magnitude 3.0, 132 light-years from Earth. <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_%28constellation%29 Hydra]</ref> | ||