DMI image reference Sco_1. « Previous || Next » All constellations
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Image and text ©2008 Akira Fujii/David Malin Images.
In the picture above, north is at the top and the image covers 39.6 x 49.6 degrees.
Image centre is located at 16:34:07.0 -31:20:01 (H:M:S, D:M:S, J2000) Astrometric data from Astrometry.net.
Best seen in the early evening in July
Scorpius is one of the few constellations whose star pattern resembles its name. The curved stinging tail is marked by the star Shahula, probably from from the Arabic 'Al Shaulah' meaning 'raised tail', as seen in a scorpion. In the body of the scorpion lies Antares, meaning 'rival of Mars' for its reddish colour. The head of the scorpion is echoed in the star name Dschubba, meaning 'forehead'. However, the scorpion shape looks trucated in our photograph and it is. In ancient times it extended into what is now Libra, where the brightest stars (not seen here) still carry the resonant names Zeubenelgenubi (α1,2 Lib, the southern claw) and Zeubeneschamali (β Lib, the northern claw).
This celestial scorpion was sent by a jealous Artemis to kill Orion, who sitll fees the venomous insect:as Scorpius rises Orion sets, and vice-versa. However, he could not be saved even by Asclepius, the god of healing, who was later sent into the heavens as Ophiuchus, the serpent wrestler, a symbol still used by the medical profession.
The constellation bestrides one of the richest parts of the southern Milky Way and is adorned by many beautiful stars. It is rich in young stars clusters and the nebulae from which they spring. Some examples are listed below. This image was a long exposure made to show the Milky Way. Another view shows Scorpius close to the horizon and with an exposure made to emphasise the bright stars.
The named stars in the constellation: (Greek alphabet)
Acrab (β1,2 Sco), Alniyat (σ Sco), Alniyat (τ Sco), Antares (α Sco), Dschubba (δ Sco), Jabbah (ν Sco), Girtab (Sargas, θ Sco), Graffias (β1 Sco), Lesath (υ Sco), Shaula (λ Sco).
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Adjoining constellations: Ara, Corona Australis, Libra Lupus, Norma, Ophiuchus, Ara, Sagittarius
Related images (other sources)
AAT 11. NGC 6302, a planetary nebula
AAT 72. A dark cloud in Scorpius
AAT 104. NGC 6231, the Sco OB association
AAT 105. IC 4628, emission nebula in Scorpius
AAT 114. NGC 6242, an open cluster
AAT 121. M4, NGC 6121, globular cluster in Scorpius
UKS 4. Antares and the Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud (Scorpius/Ophiuchus)
UKS 10. NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in the Milky Way
UKS 30. The Antares nebula
UKS 38. Star clouds and Dust in Scorpius
David Malin, 2008 June 1
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