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Scorpius, the Scorpion

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Scorpii

Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Scorpius

Origin:
Scorpius is an old ecliptic constellation and is the eighth constellation of the ancient zodiac. Before being separated into two individual constellations, Libra (the Scales) was once included as the claws of the scorpion.  The name of the Scorpion on the most ancient maps was Scorpio cum Chelae (Scorpion with Claws) but was shortened when Libra was given to Virgo, the Maiden. The brightest star in Scorpius is Antares, which translates from the Greek as "Rival of Ares (god of War)" so named because of its red color and brightness which is almost the same as the planet Mars.

Information:
Scorpius is one of the few constellations that actually resembles the creature it represents.  Laying west of the Milky Way, Scorpius transits at 9 pm on August 1. The bright red star, Antares, represents the heart of the scorpion and may be the target of the Archer, Sagittarius.  A globular cluster (M4, NGC 6121) can be found in binoculars just west of Antares but through a telescope this globular cluster is truly beautiful.  M4 is also the closest globular cluster at only about 7000 light years away. The "stinger" region of Scorpius also glows with the soft light of at least 6 star clusters.  In fact, it is in globular and open clusters for which Scorpius is famous being home to more than 9 different clusters.  The Scorpion is also home to not fewer than 4 planetary nebulae (gas ejections from dead stars) although they are relatively faint and require larger aperture telescopes to detect.  Antares itself is surrounded by a ruby-red emission nebula best observed photographically.

Mythology:
Orion was the son of Poseidon (god of the Seas) and the sea-nymph Eurayle. Orion boasted that his prowess as a hunter was so great that he could kill all the animals on the face of the Earth.  Such an arrogant statement alarmed Gaea, Goddess of Earth and matriarch to the Titans, so she decided that Orion must die just in case he might one day decide to demonstrate his claim.  Gaea created and sent the giant scorpion, Scorpius, with orders to sting to Orion.  As mighty as Orion was, he found that none of his mortal weapons could slay the monster and, after only a brief battle, the scorpion managed deliver a fatal sting on the hunter's heel (Rigel - meaning "foot"). Orion and the Scorpion were each honored for eternity as constellations in the sky but, to prevent any lasting hostilities, they were placed at opposite ends of the starry sphere -- as Orion rises in the east, Scorpius sets in the west.

According to another legend, Apollo (god of the Sun) who, concerned for his sister's Diana's chastity, sent the scorpion to dispatch Orion and insure her virtue.