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 Transit | 11:04 | 23° |
| Moon Set | 12:27 | 21° |
| Scorpius Set | 15:23 | |
| Astrosession begin | 18:15 | -30° |
| Moon Rise, 57% illuminated | 23:50 | -73° |
| Scorpius Rise | 06:41 | |
| Astrosession end | 06:46 | 1° |
| Civil sunrise | 07:20 | 6° |
| Sunrise | 07:52 | 10° |
Track Scorpius Position Throughout the Night
← Sat, 21 December 2024 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Annual motion of Scorpius
| Date | Sun, 22 December 2024 |
| Twighlight start | 18:44 |
| Twighlight end | 06:07 |
| Twighlight duration | 11h 23m |
| Rise | 06:41 |
| Set | 15:19 |
| Elevation at transit | 23° |
| Transit time | 11:00 |
| Equatorial coordinate | RA: 16h 35m 11s", Dec: -26° 45' 05s |
| Magnitude | - |
| Constellation |
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.