Scorpio (constellation)
| Constellation | |
|
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| Abbreviation | Sco |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Scorpii |
| Pronunciation | /ˈskɔːrpiəs/, genitive /ˈskɔːrpiaɪ/ |
| Symbolism | the Scorpion |
| Right ascension | 16.8875 |
| Declination | −30.7367 |
| Family | Zodiac |
| Quadrant | SQ3 |
| Area | 497 sq. deg. (33rd) |
| Main stars | 18 |
|
Bayer/Flamsteed stars |
47 |
| Stars with planets | 14 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 13 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 3 |
| Brightest star | Antares (α Sco) (0.96m) |
| Nearest star |
Gliese 682 (16.44 ly, 5.04 pc) |
| 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. |
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Scorpius is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for scorpion, and its symbol is 
(Unicode ♏). Scorpius is one of the 48 constellations identified by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the second century. It is an ancient constellation that pre-dated the Greeks. 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.
Scorpius contains many bright stars, including Antares (α Sco), "rival of Mars," so named because of its distinct reddish hue; β1 Sco (Graffias or Acrab), a triple star; δ Sco (Dschubba, "the forehead"); θ Sco (Sargas, of unknown origin); ν Sco (Jabbah); ξ Sco (Girtab, "the scorpion"); π Sco (Iclil); σ Sco (Alniyat); and τ Sco (also known as Alniyat, "the arteries").
Marking the tip of the scorpion's curved tail are λ Sco (Shaula) and υ Sco (Lesath), whose names both mean "sting." Given their proximity to one another, λ Sco and υ Sco are sometimes referred to as the Cat's Eyes.
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