Scorpius

Scorpius

Constellation
List of stars in Scorpius
Abbreviation	Sco
Genitive	Scorpii
Pronunciation	/ˈskɔrpiəs/, genitive /ˈskɔrpiaɪ/
Symbolism	the Scorpion
Right ascension	16 hrs. 53 min. 15 sec.
Declination	−30° 44' 12"
Area	497 sq. deg. (33rd)
Main stars	15
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	47
Stars with known planets	10
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.

Scorpius is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for scorpion, and its symbol is (Unicode ♏). It lies between Libra to the west and Sagittarius to the east. It is a large constellation located in the southern hemisphere near the center of the Milky Way.

Notable features

Stars

Scorpius contains many bright stars, including Antares (α Sco), β¹ Sco (Graffias), δ Sco (Dschubba), θ Sco (Sargas), λ Sco (Shaula), ν Sco (Jabbah), ξ Sco (Girtab), π Sco (Iclil), σ Sco (Alniyat), τ Sco (also known as Alniyat) and υ Sco (Lesath). Most of the bright stars are massive members of the nearest OB association: Scorpius-Centaurus^[1].

The star δ Sco, after having been a stable 2.3 magnitude star flared in July 2000 to 1.9 in a matter of weeks. it has since become a variable star fluctuating between 2.0 and 1.6.^[2] This means that at its brightest it is the second brightest star in Scorpius.

U Scorpii is the fastest known nova with a period of about 10 years.^[3]

ω¹ Scorpii and ω² Scorpii are an optical double, which can be resolved by the unaided eye. They have contrasting blue and yellow colours.

The star once designated γ Sco (despite being well within the boundaries of Libra) is today known as σ Lib. Moreover, the entire constellation of Libra was considered to be claws of Scorpius (Chelae Scorpionis) in Ancient Greek times, with a set of scales held aloft by Astraea (represented by adjacent Virgo) being formed from these western-most stars during later Greek times. The division into Libra was formalised during Roman times.

λ Sco and υ Sco, two stars at the end of the scorpion's tail that appear very close together, are sometimes referred to as the Cat's Eyes.

Deep sky objects

Due to its location on the Milky Way, this constellation contains many deep sky objects such as the open clusters Messier 6 (the Butterfly Cluster) and Messier 7 (the Ptolemy Cluster), and the globular clusters Messier 4 and Messier 80. Also in the southern end of the constellation by ζ² Sco, there is the open star cluster NGC 6231.

Mythology

In Greek Mythology Scorpio is a reference to an enormous hunter named Orion. He would hunt every night with the Greek goddess of hunting, Artemis. Artemis fell in love with the handsome hunter. Artemis's twin brother Apollo became angry with Orion for loving his sister. Apollo went to his mother Hera and asked her to send a scorpian (scorpio) to go and kill Orion. Hera granted his requested and Orion was killed. Artemis vowed never to love again and weeping asked her Father Zeus lord of the skies to put a constellation in the sky for her beloved Orion. And so he did, he not only gave a constellation to Orion but also to his killer Scorpio. That way Artemis could always see her love while she hunted.

In another Greek story involving Scorpio without Orion, Phaeton (the mortal male offspring of Helios) bragged to his friends about his parentage. Since they refused to believe him, Phaeton went to his father, who had earlier sworn by the River Styx to give Phaeton anything he should ask for. Phaeton wanted to drive his father's Sun Chariot for a day. Although Helios tried to dissuade his son, Phaeton was adamant. However, when the day arrived, Phaeton panicked and lost control of the white horses that drew the chariot. First, the Earth grew chill as Phaeton flew too high and encountered the celestial scorpion, its deadly sting raised to strike. Alarmed, he dipped the chariot too close, causing the vegetation to burn. By accident, Phaeton turned most of Africa into desert and darkened the skin of the Ethiopian nation until it was black. Eventually, Zeus was forced to intervene by striking the runaway chariot and Phaeton with a lightning bolt to put an end to its rampage and Phaeton plunged into the River Eridanos.^[4]

Astrology

The Western astrological sign Scorpio of the tropical zodiac (October 23–November 23) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (November 16–December 16). Astronomically, the sun is in Scorpius for just one week, from November 23–November 30. Much of the difference is due to the constellation Ophiuchus, which is used by only a few astrologers. Scorpius corresponds to the nakshatras Anuradha, Jyeshtha, and Mula

See also

• WASP-17

References

1. ^ Preibisch, T., Mamajek, E. (2009). "The Nearest OB Association: Scorpius-Centaurus (Sco OB2)". Handbook of Star-Forming Regions 2: 0. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008arXiv0809.0407P. 
2. ^ Delta Scorpii Still Showing Off
3. ^ AAVSO: Variable Star of the Season: U Scorpii
4. ^ according to Scorpio - The Legend and Myth

• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Scorpius

• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Scorpius
• Star Tales – Scorpius

Coordinates: 16^h 53^m 15^s, −30° 44′ 12″