What it looks like
Scorpius is a large, striking zodiac constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, drawn as a scorpion with claws, a body, and a curved tail. It is one of the few constellations that genuinely resembles its namesake, sitting in a rich region of the Milky Way.
Brightest stars
Scorpius is packed with bright stars, led by the red supergiant Antares, the heart of the scorpion.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antares (α Scorpii) | +1.06 | 550 ly | Rival of Mars |
| Shaula (λ Scorpii) | +1.62 | 570 ly | Raised Tail |
| Sargas (θ Scorpii) | +1.86 | 300 ly | — |
| Dschubba (δ Scorpii) | +2.29 | 490 ly | Forehead |
| Graffias (β Scorpii) | +2.62 | 400 ly | Claws |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Scorpius is the scorpion that Gaia sent to kill Orion the Hunter, and both were placed on opposite sides of the sky.
The scorpion and Orion
Orion boasted that he could kill every animal on earth, so Gaia sent a giant scorpion to humble him. The scorpion stung Orion fatally, and Zeus placed both in the sky. They were set at opposite ends of the heavens — as Scorpius rises in the east, Orion sets in the west — so the hunter can never be stung again.
Babylonian roots
Babylonian star catalogues list a scorpion figure in this region as early as 1100 BC, one of the oldest recorded constellations.
How to find it
Look for the bright red star Antares on summer evenings, then trace the curved tail sweeping down toward the southern horizon.
- Antares is easy to spot by its deep orange-red colour.
- Follow the tail through Shaula and Lesath — the stinger's two stars.
- Best on summer evenings from the southern hemisphere and low northern latitudes.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- Sco
- Genitive
- Scorpii
- Meaning
- The Scorpion
- Brightest star
- Antares
- Main stars
- 18
- Area rank
- 33rd
- Best visible
- July
- Declination
- -30°
- Meteor showers
- Alpha Scorpiids, Omega Scorpiids
- Neighbours
- Libra, Lupus, Norma, Ara, Corona Australis, Sagittarius, Ophiuchus
Deep-sky objects
Scorpius lies along the Milky Way and is rich in clusters and nebulae: M4, M6 (the Butterfly Cluster), M7 (Ptolemy Cluster), and the Scorpius-Centaurus Association, the nearest OB association to the Sun. The Bug Nebula (NGC 6302) is a striking bipolar planetary nebula.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Scorpius look like?
Scorpius is a zodiac constellation known as the Scorpion, marked by the bright red star Antares at its heart and a long curved tail ending in a stinger.
What is the brightest star in Scorpius?
The brightest star in Scorpius is Antares, shining at around magnitude 1.06.
When is Scorpius best visible?
Scorpius is best seen from southern hemisphere during July.
What is the story behind Scorpius?
In Greek myth, Scorpius is the scorpion that Gaia sent to kill Orion the Hunter, and both were placed on opposite sides of the sky.
Which constellations are near Scorpius?
Scorpius borders Libra, Lupus, Norma, Ara, Corona Australis, Sagittarius and Ophiuchus.
Libra
Sagittarius