Scorpius Constellation
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
| Time | Elevation | |
| Scorpius rise | 12:52 | |
Moonrise, 98.6% illuminated  | 17:09 | 26° |
| Scorpius transit | 17:21 | 26° |
| Sunset | 17:43 | 26° |
| Civil sunset | 18:11 | 25° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:44 | 23° |
| Scorpius set | 21:50 | |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:35 | -66° |
| Moonset | 04:01 | -70° |
Track Scorpius Position Throughout the Night
← 27 August 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Nebulae in the constellation Scorpius
M80
Globular Cluster
M4
Globular Cluster
M6
Open Cluster
M7
Open Cluster
Annual motion of Scorpius
| Date | Fri, 28 August 2026 |
| Twilight start | 19:15 |
| Twilight end | 03:00 |
| Twilight duration | 8h 45m |
| Rise | 12:48 |
| Set | 21:46 |
| Elevation at transit | 26° |
| Transit time | 17:17 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 16h 35m 11s", Dec: -26° 45' 05s |
| Magnitude | - |
| Constellation |
The vertical axis shows the hours of the day, while the horizontal axis spans the days of the year.
The reddish area marks when the constellation is above the horizon. The white line shows when it reaches its highest point in the sky. View detailed visibility information in a table with rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries used in celestial mapping.
Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for producing the charts and tables. Alan MacRobert’s constellation patterns were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and adjusted to align with earlier traditions.