Scorpius

zodiac constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere

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.

Scorpius
Constellation
Scorpius
AbbreviationSco
GenitiveScorpii
Right ascension16 hrs. 53 min. 15 sec.
Declination−30° 44' 12"
Area497 sq. deg. (33rd)
Main stars15
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
45
Stars with planets5
Stars brighter than 3.00m13
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)3
Brightest starAntares (α Sco) (0.96m)
Messier objects4
Meteor showersAlpha 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

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Bibliography

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

Other websites

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