Scorpius (Latin for scorpion, symbol , Unicode 264F) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. In western astrology it is known as "Scorpio". 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

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 (Grafias), σ Sco (Alniyat), τ Sco (also known as Alniyat) and υ Sco (Lesath).

The star once designated γ Sco (despite being well within the boundaries of Libra) is today known as σ Lib.

Notable deep sky objects

Due to its location on the Milky Way, this constellation contains many deep sky objects such as the open clusters M6 (the Butterfly Cluster) and M7 (the Ptolemy Cluster), and the globular clusters M4 and M80.

Mythology

Scorpio resembles, quite noticeably, a scorpion's tail, and a vague body . According to Greek mythology, it corresponds to the scorpion which was sent by Gaia (or possibly the goddess Hera) to kill the hunter Orion, the scorpion rising out of the ground at the goddess' command to attack. Although the scorpion and Orion appear together in this myth, the constellation of Orion is almost opposite to Scorpius in the night sky. It has been suggested that this was a divine precaution to forestall the heavenly continuation of the feud.

In many versions, however, Apollo sent the scorpion after Orion, having grown jealous of Artemis' attentions to the man. Later, to

Scorpius also appears in one version of the story of Phaethon, the mortal son of Helios, the sun. Phaeton asked to drive the sun-chariot for a day. Phaeton lost control of the chariot. The horses, already out of control, were scared by the great celestial scorpion with its sting raised to strike, and the inexperienced boy lost control of the chariot, as the sun wildly went about the sky (this is said to have formed the constellation Eridanus). Finally, Zeus struck him down with a thunderbolt to stop the rampage.

The Chinese included these stars in the Azure Dragon, a powerful but benevolent creature whose rising heralded spring.

In Maori mythology, this constellation can be Maui's magic jawbone (used to fish up the North Island of New Zealand), the front of Tama-rereti's waka/canoe (used to ferry the stars into the sky) or one of the posts Tane used to hold Ranginui (the sky-father) in the sky. While three posts (Sirius, Matariki/The pleides and Orion) hold up the top half of Ranginui, only a single post (Scorpius) supports the lower half of his body. It therefore appears bent under the weight.

Astrology

The Western astrological sign Scorpio of the tropical zodiac (October 23 - November 22) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (November 23 - November 29).

In some cosmologies, Scorpio is associated with the classical element Water, and thus called a Water Sign with Cancer and Pisces.Hence, Scorpio people form strongest bonds with Cancerians, and Pisceans. It is also one of the four Fixed signs (along with Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius). Its polar opposite is Taurus. It is the domicile of Mars (since its discovery, Pluto has been considered Scorpio's ruling or co-ruling planet by many modern astrologers). Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Scorpio rules the genitals. The symbols for Scorpio are the scorpion, the eagle, serpent and the phoenix.

Notable and named stars

Source: ,

See also

Escorpió Štír (souhvězdí) Skorpionen Skorpion (Sternbild) Scorpius Scorpion (constellation) An Scairp 전갈자리 Scorpius Scorpione (astronomia) ღრიანკალიku:Dûvpişk (birç) Scorpius Skorpionas (astronomija) Skorpió_(csillagkép) Schorpioen (sterrenbeeld) さそり座 Skorpionen Skorpion (gwiazdozbiór) Scorpius Скорпион (созвездие) Súhvezdie Škorpión Skorpioni (tähdistö) Skorpionen กลุ่มดาวแมงป่อง Thiên Hạt 天蝎座