Ophiuchus

One of the larger constellations located in the equatorial regions of the sky. To the north Ophiuchus is neighboured to Hercules. On the western border one finds one part of the constellation Serpens, Serpens Caput (head of the snake). Libra and Scorpius, which also covers the complete southern border. To the east it is flanked by Sagittarius (south) and the second part of Serpens (north), Serpens Cauda (tail of the snake). It streches from DECL= +14 degrees to DECL=-30 degrees and roughly from RA=16h to RA=18h 40m.
From Hercules through Ophiuchus to is south-east border and beyond the background of the stars increase significantly. Random gazing is just a joy.
Although this constellation is not part of the zodiac the sun passes through Ophiuchus in December each year. When the zodiac first was invented by the Babylonians 3000 years ago, the sun just passes through the twelve constellations to which we still refer as the zodiac. Due to the precession of the Earth the apparent way of the sun through the sky has changed through the milleniums.

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