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Sky-Tonight.com / Constellations / Scorpius
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Observation Settings

Or select it on the map:
This Earth map fragment is intended to illustrate celestial motion across the sky, emphasizing both bearing and elevational perspectives. The map's center point corresponds to the transit, showcasing celestial objects at their highest point, while elevation gradually decreases towards the map edges. This dynamic representation offers insights into the changing positions of celestial bodies with a focus on their bearing and elevational trajectories.
Your location: Columbus, United States
Timezone:
Latitude:
39.9625
Longitude:
-83.0061

Scorpius Constellation

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Scorpius, the scorpion, is a prominent constellation of the zodiac, home to the red supergiant star Antares and known for its scorpion shape.

Scorpius (The Scorpion)

Scorpius is a striking constellation in the southern sky, representing a scorpion. It is one of the most prominent and easily recognizable constellations, known for its distinctive shape and bright stars. Scorpius holds a special place in both ancient mythology and astronomy.

Key Features

  • Bright Stars: Scorpius is home to several bright stars that form its characteristic shape:
    • Antares: The brightest star in Scorpius, a red supergiant often referred to as the "heart of the scorpion." It is located about 550 light-years away.
    • Shaula: A binary star system representing the scorpion's stinger, located about 700 light-years away.
    • Lesath: A blue-white giant star, part of the stinger of the scorpion.
    • Alniyat: A bright giant star near the scorpion's head.
  • Deep-Sky Objects: Scorpius is rich in deep-sky objects, including:
    • Messier 4 (M4): A bright globular cluster located near Antares, one of the closest globular clusters to Earth.
    • Messier 6 (M6, The Butterfly Cluster): An open cluster that resembles the shape of a butterfly and contains over 80 stars.
    • Messier 7 (M7, Ptolemy’s Cluster): Another bright open cluster located about 1,000 light-years away.

Mythological Background

In Greek mythology, Scorpius represents the giant scorpion sent by the goddess Artemis to kill the hunter Orion. According to the myth, the scorpion’s sting was fatal, but after the scorpion killed Orion, both were placed in the sky by Zeus—on opposite sides of the celestial sphere, so they would never be seen at the same time. The story symbolizes the eternal struggle between predator and prey, as well as the power of nature.

Scorpius has appeared in various cultures, often associated with danger and protection. In Babylonian astronomy, it was seen as a guardian figure.

Cultural Significance

Scorpius has been a prominent constellation for navigation and timekeeping, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is visible during the summer months. Its connection to the zodiac sign Scorpio has also made it an important symbol in astrology, representing intensity, transformation, and passion.

Scorpius Rise and Set Timetable

TimeElevation
Moon Rise, 15.8% illuminated09:21-37°
Scorpius Rise21:11
Civil sunset21:252°
Astrosession begin22:058°
Moon Set00:5123°
Scorpius Transit01:3123°
Astrosession end04:538°
Civil sunrise05:333°
Scorpius Set05:50

Track Scorpius Position Throughout the Night

← Sat, 31 May 2025 →

Elevation (degrees)
Time
Altitude
Azimuth
Shift the map to change the time and observe Scorpius changing position in the night sky.

Annual motion of Scorpius

Time
DateSat, 31 May 2025
Twighlight start22:47
Twighlight end04:02
Twighlight duration5h 15m
Rise21:11
Set05:50
Elevation at transit23°
Transit time01:31
Equatorial coordinatesRA: 16h 35m 11s", Dec: -26° 45' 05s
Magnitude-
Constellation
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Scorpius, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Scorpius is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries, which provide a consistent framework for celestial mapping.

Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for their collaboration in producing the charts and tables. The constellation patterns, drawn by Alan MacRobert, were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and thoughtfully adjusted to align with earlier traditions.