The large constellation Ophiuchus, home to the Rho Ophiuchus molecular cloud complex, is known variously as the Serpent Bearer or Aesculapius, the Physician. Accord- ing to Greek legend, Aesculapius was so skilled at medicine he could keep mortals from entering the underworld. Although Zeus killed Aesculapius for his transgressions, the image of this son of Apollo was placed in the heavens. The modern symbol of medicine, the caduceus (a snake wrapped around a rod), can be traced at least in part to the cult of Aesculapius, who was often depicted with a knotty stickΓÇöto represent the complexities of medicineΓÇöand a serpent, the symbol of wisdom.
The star Rho Ophiuchi lends its name to this dark cloud complex,
