Hydra

Hydra is the largest constellation in the night sky measuring 104 arc minutes in length and takes up 1,303 square degrees in area. This constellation is dotted with numerous galaxies, nebulae and star clusters.

Few bright stars brighter than magnitude 2.16 populate Hydra. The star Alphard translates from the Arabic meaning “the solitary one”. It is located 177 light-years from us and is pale orange in colour. If Alphard replaced our Sun, the star’s edge would reach halfway to the planet Mercury. Alphard is some 40 times larger than the Sun.

This letter was sent to the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minster Transport regarding the safe use of Green Laser Pointers.

Randy Attwood

Executive Director

RASC—Eyes on the Universe for 150 Years

2018 is a banner year for The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), as it marks the 150th year since the Society's inception. That is reason enough for Canada's leading association of amateur and professional astronomers to celebrate the past and future course of astronomy in this country.

Taurus the Bull