Scorpius
Scorpius (Latin for scorpion, symbol 
, Unicode ♏) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. In western astrology it is also known as "Scorpio". It is a large constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near the center of the Milky Way. Its brightest star is the red supergiant Antares. The blue hypergiant Zeta1 Scorpii is even brighter but smaller and further away.
 Click for larger image | |
| List of stars in Scorpius | |
| Abbreviation: | Sco |
| Genitive: | Scorpii |
| Symbology: | the Scorpion |
| Right ascension: | 16 hrs. 53 min. 15 sec. h |
| Declination: | −30° 44' 12"° |
| Area: | 497 sq. deg. (33rd) |
| Main stars: | 15 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars: | 45 |
| Stars known to have planets: | 5 |
| Bright stars: | 13 |
| Nearby stars: | 3 |
| Brightest star: | Antares (α Sco) (0.96m) |
| Nearest star: | HD 156384 (22.74 ly) |
| Messier objects: | 4 |
| Meteor showers: | Alpha Scorpiids Omega Scorpiids |
| Bordering constellations: | Sagittarius Ophiuchus Libra Lupus Norma Ara Corona Australis |
| Visible at latitudes between +40° and −90° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July | |
Deep-sky objects
Scorpius Media
The constellation Scorpius as it can be seen by naked eye (with constellation lines drawn in).
Stars of the constellation by distance (red-green 3D view) and the brightness of each star (star size)
The heart of Scorpius. M4 is visible near the left of center. Portions of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex are illuminated by Antares and the other neighboring stars.
Scorpius as depicted in Urania's Mirror, a set of constellation cards published in London c.1825.
Bibliography
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Collins Stars and Planets Guide, HarperCollins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209.
