Serpens is the snake that belonged to Asclepius the Healer, represented by Ophiuchus. Although at one time Serpens and Ophiuchus were one constellation that was just Serpens.

Serpens is split into two in the sky. The left hand side is called Serpens Cauda or snake tail and the right side is Serpens Cauda or snake head. Asclepius is perhaps holding his snake in the middle.

The snakes head has one object of interest, and that is a globular cluster, M5 which is a magnificent example that rewards larger telescopes with perhaps the second best view of a globular cluster, the first being Hercules. M5 lies about 25000 light years away.

The snakes tail also has one object of note, and it is called the Eagle Nebula M16. In large telescopes of 8 inches or more, a lot of detail can be seen in the nebula and you should almost be able to see a dark area within the centre that slightly resembles an Eagle flying upwards with its wings pulled back.