Where and when can you see the constellation Scorpio. Scorpio is the southern zodiac constellation

Entirely in the Milky Way to the west, bordering Ophiuchus to the north and Altar to the south. The sun enters the constellation of Scorpio on November 23, but already on November 29 it leaves it (this constellation of the Sun passes in the shortest time) in order to go into non-constellation for 20 days. zodiac constellation Ophiuchus. Many bright stars outline the head, body and tail of the "scorpion". The brightest stars: Antares - 0.8m, Shaula - 1.6m and Sargas - 1.9m. Best conditions for observations in May-June. The constellation is visible entirely in southern and partially in central Europe.

Antares

brightest star Antares(α Scorpio), which in Greek means "rival of Ares (Mars)", is located in the "heart of the scorpion." It is a red supergiant with insignificant brightness variability (from 0.86 to 1.06 magnitudes); in brightness and color, this star is really very similar to Mars. Its diameter is about 700 times larger than that of the Sun, and its luminosity is 9000 times greater than that of the Sun. Antares is a beautiful visual double: its brighter component is blood red, and its less bright neighbor is bluish-white, but it looks green in contrast to its companion.

asterisms

The characteristically shaped chain of constellation stars is often distinguished as an asterism Tail(Sting) scorpion. It includes a different number of stars, but it is usually considered starting from Antares. In this case, the asterism consists of stars - α (Antares), τ, ε, μ, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ and ν. Sometimes δ and γ stars are added to it. In the Arabic tradition, the asterism is truncated to four stars ι, κ, λ and ν Scorpio and is called Girtab (also called the star κ Scorpio, central in the asterism).

Alternative modern name - Fishing hook.

A pair of nearby stars λ and υ at the very end scorpion tail make up an asterism Cat's eyes.

Other objects

The star Akrab (β Scorpio) the Greeks called Rafias, which means "crab"; it is a bright double (magnitude 2.6 and 4.9) that can be seen in 50mm. telescope. At the tip of the “tail of a scorpion” is Shaula (λ Scorpio), translated from Arabic - a sting. In this constellation, the most powerful discrete X-ray source in the sky, Scorpius X-1, was found, identified with a hot blue variable star; astronomers believe that this is a close binary system, where a neutron star is paired with a normal one. Another interesting star is Nu Scorpio - this system consists of at least 7 components. In the constellation, astronomers recently discovered a black hole candidate, GRO J1655-40. Open clusters M 6, M 7 and NGC 6231 are visible in Scorpio, as well as globular clusters M 4 and M 80. It is assumed that the star 1RXS J160929.1-210524 has an unusual planetary system that does not fit into the generally accepted model of planet formation.

Story

Ancient constellation. Included in the catalog starry sky Almagest.

Uranographia "J. E. Bode (Berlin 1801)

click on the image to enlarge it

Constellation Scorpio from the Atlas "Urania's Mirror" (London, 1825)

Mythology

A monstrous creature, possibly a product of Gaia, possibly living in the sea and used by Poseidon for terrorist purposes. Or perhaps caused by Artemis from the bowels of Mount Kolona on the island of Chios. Notorious for attacking and biting him to death. Or at least put the famous hunter on the run.

Also, Scorpio, as a constellation, is not well known for the fact that it was he who frightened the horses of Phaethon, they suffered and the driver, unable to hold them, paid for it with his life.

Mythology connects the constellations of Scorpio and Eridanus with the tragic fate of Phaethon.

Klymene, the daughter of the sea goddess Thetis, was so beautiful that even the radiant god Helios (the Sun), who every day rode his golden chariot high above the Earth, nowhere saw a more beautiful girl than she. He married her, and she bore him a son, brilliant, like his father, whom she named Phaeton (which means "flaming" in Greek), but unlike his father, he was not immortal.

For days on end Phaeton played with his cousin Epaphus, the son of the Thunderer Zeus. Once Epaf laughed at Phaethon:

Although you are called Phaeton, you are not the son of Helios,

but the most ordinary mortal!

Like stones, these words fell into the soul of the boy. In tears, he ran to seek protection from his mother. She hugged his mother and asked about the reason for the tears. Sobbing, he told her how cruelly Epaf had offended him.

Clymene stretched out her hands to the sun and exclaimed:

Oh my son! I swear by the luminous Helios, who sees and hears us, that he is your father! May he deprive me of his light if I do not speak the holy truth! Go to his palace! He will meet you like his own son and confirm my words!

Reassured by the words of his mother, Phaeton went to the palace of Helios. He saw him from afar, sitting on a golden throne, but could not approach him, because the eyes of a mortal could not withstand his dazzling light. Helios was very happy with Phaeton, and the radiance around him became even brighter. Phaeton told him that Epaphus doubted that Helios was Phaeton's father, and asked Helios to dispel these doubts.

"You are my son! To be sure of this, ask me for anything you want, and by the sacred waters of Styx, I will fulfill your request!" Helios said.

Phaethon was delighted and asked Helios to give him a chariot with winged horses only for one day in order to rush through the expanses of heaven on it.

Upon hearing this request, Helios turned gloomy, and the radiance around him decreased. He began to exhort his son:

Think, my son, before asking such a thing! Can a mortal man really be able to sit on my chariot, because even none of the immortal gods can control it! My winged horses run like a whirlwind. You won't hold the reins and you won't handle them. Yes, the path is not easy. At first it is so steep that you will feel as if you are flying straight up, and when you reach the highest altitudes, your hair will stand on end if you look at the Earth. After that

horses will rush down to the waters of the ocean ... Refuse, my son, from this

wishes! Along the way, you will meet various monsters that will frighten both you and the horses. Do you want to die?

But Phaeton remained adamant and even more insistently begged Helios to give him a chariot. Helios could not break his oath by the sacred waters of Styx and allowed Phaethon to take the chariot.

Phaeton went to the eastern edge of the Earth, where the golden chariot of Helios was located. Winged wild horses were harnessed to it. Fed on ambrosia and nectared, the horses snorted impatiently and beat with their hooves. Full of joy, Phaeton sat on the chariot and took the reins in his hands. The goddess Eos (Dawn) opened wide the golden gates, and the horses raced along the steep road. They raced faster and faster, and Phaeton no longer had enough strength to hold the reins and control them. And the horses lost their way, because Phaeton himself did not know her. And suddenly, in front of the muzzles of the horses, a huge terrible Scorpion appeared, covered with poisonous scales. He directed his deadly sting at the horses and Phaeton. Phaeton was frightened of this monster, let go of the reins and fell on the chariot. The horses felt free and rushed from the terrible Scorpio up to the stars, and the chariot rushed, listing from side to side, and at any moment could turn over.

The goddess Selena (Moon) was frightened when she saw the horses of Helios rushing in the sky, not controlled by anyone. What happened to her brother Helios?!

Having reached the heavenly heights, the horses rapidly began to descend to the Earth. The flames from the close descended chariot engulfed the Earth. The fire turned flourishing cities and fertile fields into ashes. Mountains covered with forests caught fire, water boiled in rivers and seas, and clouds of hot steam rose above them. The nymphs were frightened and, crying, hid in deep caves. Soon both rivers and seas turned into parched, cracked deserts. Death threatened the Earth. Then the goddess Gaia (Earth), shedding tears, prayed to the ruler of Heaven and Earth, the great Thunderer Zeus:

Oh, greatest of gods! Will you really allow me to perish, to perish the kingdom of your brother Poseidon? Is it possible that all living things should perish in this fire?

Zeus heard the prayer of the goddess Gaia. In an instant, he extinguished the violent fire that burned the Earth. Raised his heavy right hand, threw a blazing lightning bolt and smashed the fiery chariot. The horses of Helios fled in different directions, and fragments of the chariot scattered all over the sky ...

And Phaeton, engulfed in flames, flew to Earth and fell into the Eridanus River, far from his homeland. Deep sorrow overshadowed the radiant Helios. He closed his face and did not appear in the heavenly spaces all day long.

The Hesperides dragged Phaeton's body out of the Eridanus River and buried it in the ground. For a long time the unfortunate mother of Phaethon Klymene was looking for the body of her dead son. And when she found his grave, she mourned him bitterly, and with her they mourned Phaeton and the daughters of Clymene - the heliads. Their grief was so great that the gods, taking pity on them, turned them into poplars. Standing on the banks of the river Eridan are the bowed poplar heliads, dropping tears into the river for their brother, which, falling, turn into transparent amber.

Since then, the constellations of Scorpio and Eridan have been reminiscent of the tragic death of Phaeton, who did not listen to the advice of his great father, the radiant Helios.

The scorpion is also known from another myth. He stung the legendary hunter Orion on the heel (see constellation). The poisoned man died on the island of Chios.

In the southern hemisphere of the sky, approximately in the center of the Milky Way, is the constellation Scorpio. It has long been known to people.

Already in the 2nd century, the Greek geographer and mathematician Ptolemy included it in his Almagest catalog of the starry sky. The sun is in the constellation Scorpio for only six days of November - from the 24th to the 29th, and in the zodiac sign of the same name from October 24 to November 22.

What is a zodiac?

When the Sun makes its way through the sky during the year, its trajectory is almost a circle. In astronomy, this line is called the ecliptic. Around it, scientists identify an imaginary narrow strip where the apparent movement of the moon and planets takes place. solar system.

The ecliptic passes through 12 zodiac constellations.

First the belt around the ecliptic was "discovered" by the ancient Babylonians, they also divided it into 12 equal parts. And the ancient Greeks later called them the zodiac. The root of this name is the same as that of the word "zoo", because people identified the constellations located there with animals.

Scorpius: a bit of history

Scorpio is one of the 12 zodiac constellations. From the western edge, it is adjacent to Libra, from the eastern edge - to Sagittarius. It also borders on the non-zodiacal Ophiuchus and Altar.

In its outlines, this cluster of stars really looks like a scorpion. Greek astronomers saw in it a body, a tail and claws.

Constellation Scorpio.

The constellation got its name about 2 thousand years ago. and, like many celestial objects, thanks to ancient Greek myth. The fertility goddess Artemis became angry with the hunter Orion, who boasted of destroying all the animals on Earth, and sent a scorpion to calm the braggart.

There was a battle in which venomous bite enemy cost the young man his life. After that, Zeus raised both to the sky in the form of constellations. Moreover, their mythological history is “reflected” in the celestial geography: when Scorpio rises, Orion goes beyond the horizon, as if running away.

Characteristic. Main stars

This constellation includes 162 visible star eye, 7 of which are navigational (that is, they can be navigated from land and sea). It also includes numerous nebulae, open clusters, novae, and several supergiants.

A unique feature of Scorpio is luminosity - its tail is immersed in the brightest part of the Galaxy. The celestial bodies located there shine thousands of times stronger than the Sun.

A heavenly arthropod is watching us.

The main stars of Scorpio (arranged in descending order of luminosity):

1. Antares - bright orange, the 15th brightest of all the stars in the sky. Because of the reddish hue, it is also called the rival of Mars.
2. Akrab - double, blue-white. Interestingly, it is depicted on the flag of Brazil, where, according to an old legend, it symbolizes one of the states.
3. Dshubba - blue-white, characterized by variable brightness. The name is translated from Arabic as "forehead".
4. Shaula - bluish, consists of 3 parts. The name in Arabic means "sting".
5. Sargas is a yellow fixed double giant star.

Antares - the brightest scorpio star and one of the brightest in the sky.

What is interesting about Scorpio

Scientists make constant reports about this constellation because it is unique. There are hundreds of open star clusters that are of great interest to science.

Often new stars appear in Scorpio(that is, flashing, those whose luminosity suddenly increases). They even misled the ancient astronomers, and they had to rewrite the celestial catalogs.

The most interesting object is the neutron star X-1. It emits powerful X-ray radiation, the like of which does not exist in space.

Where can you watch

At mid-latitudes, it is difficult to see Scorpio in the sky, because it is located low above the horizon. Not in all regions of Russia it can be observed. Muscovites, for example, will not succeed. It is necessary to be at least at the latitude of Rostov-on-Don or to the south.

If you look low from the earth on a cloudless night, then the constellation will lie on the southeastern side of the sky, completely in the Milky Way. It is easy to find by its outline, which looks like a clear letter J.

Scorpio as a zodiac sign

Astrology also uses celestial charts to draw up horoscopes for different "characters" of the zodiac annual cycle. There is also a general description of the character of people who were born under the same sign.

Scorpio is the eighth among the signs of the Zodiac.

Astrologers describe Scorpions as fearless, straightforward and very strong-willed natures. In addition, they have good intuition, and often real wisdom. These people are very talented and attractive, they always show leadership qualities. However, it is impossible to impose your will on Scorpio or limit his freedom.

Time to dive into one of the most intense and beautiful zodiac constellations - Scorpion. The constellation belongs to the southern hemisphere of the sky, but in May-June it is also partially observed from the northern latitudes. What you see will pleasantly surprise you! Charles Messier at one time brought objects from the constellation into his 4th deep sky.

Legend and history

Scorpion- one of the oldest constellations. Also listed in the catalog of Claudius Ptolemy "Almagest". In Greek mythology, there are at least 10 interpretations of the origin of this constellation. According to one of them, the name comes from the scorpion that mortally stung Orion. You may have noticed that the constellation Scorpio is located in the opposite part of the sky from the constellation Orion, some believe that this is due to a precaution in order to avoid subsequent conflicts. "When Scorpio rises in the east, Orion hurries to hide in the west".

Characteristics

The most interesting objects to observe in the constellation Scorpio

Let's start our acquaintance with the constellation from its northern part, namely from "pincers" scorpion. There are several reflection and emission nebulae, the famous globular clusters M4 And M80, as well as several bright stars led by Antares (α Sco). Below I give an atlas of this section of the starry sky, and after it, objects accessible for observation even in an amateur deep-sky telescope.

"Claw" Scorpio

1. Globular star cluster M 4 (NGC 6121)

M4- one of the first globular star clusters studied in detail. The Swiss astronomer Jean de Chezo in 1746 is considered to be the discoverer. Eighteen years later, in 1764, the cluster was cataloged by Charles Messier. The brightness of the cluster is 5.6 m, the apparent dimensions are 36.0', and the linear diameter is 55 light years. On this moment open about 50 .

Near M4 there is a smaller globular cluster NGC 6144:

Many of you may naively assume that a 7.4′ globular cluster with a magnitude of 9 m can be easily seen even with an amateur telescope. But that's not true. We again return to the strong illumination from neighboring stars and wander for a long time in the vicinity, where the cluster should be NGC 6144. I spent about 30 minutes, the result is negative. You try in every possible way to “remove” Antares from the field of view of the eyepiece, but the light from this star makes the sky bright and inaccessible for studying even such deep-sky objects. I hope you have more luck.

Another shot of a pair of clusters along with a star σSco or Alniyat (clickable image):

Clusters M 4 and NGC 6144

3. Globular Star Cluster M 80 (NGC 6093)

M80- a globular star cluster with a brightness of 7.9 m and apparent angular dimensions of 10.0 ′. Linear diameter - 72 light years, removed from the Sun at a distance of 27400 light years. It is believed that this cluster is one of the densest in our Milky Way galaxy. All in all M80 contains about 100 thousand stars.

The "balloon" is far from bright stars and is easily searched for at low magnifications. Outwardly, this cluster looks like a comet.

Reflection nebulae generally do not reflect any light themselves. That is, it is light reflected from nearby stars. Traditionally IC 4605 this is considered to be a blue bright area in the upper left corner of the image (similar to spaceship), but in fact two dark areas of the sky (Barnard's nebulae) are also included in the region of the nebula IC 4605. In a telescope, during visual observation, unfortunately, clusters are not visible even when using narrow-band filters.

Astronomers-photographers are trying to capture this nebula along with a couple of others from the constellation Ophiuchus. IC 4603 And IC 4604. This area is also signed in some sources as Antares Nebula. Pay attention to the diagram of the nebulae below, I hope this will become clearer:

5. Blue Horsehead Reflection Nebula (IC 4592)

Just don't confuse this "head" IC 4592 with the Horsehead Nebula ( IC 434) in the constellation. This is a faint reflection nebula that can show the outline of a head at slow shutter speeds. Go back to the constellation atlas for a moment and note the size of this nebula, over 2.3°. For several spring nights in a row, my colleagues tried to photograph her at long exposures, until there was no result. Neighboring stars strongly illuminate the frame, while the nebula itself does not appear.

We go down even lower to the horizon, we find an open cluster visible to the naked eye M7(shaped like a pinwheel) and stop. Here is something to hold your eyes on and what to document:

6. Open star cluster M 7 (NGC 6475 or the Ptolemy Cluster)

M7 or the Ptolemy Cluster, or the Scorpion's Tail - an open cluster that is clearly visible to the naked eye. One of the oldest and previously documented clusters in the sky. Claudius Ptolemy was the first to document a "handful" of stars in his notes. M7 consists of about 80 stars scattered over a distance (angular diameter) of about 1.3°. The cluster is 800 light years away from us. The linear diameter is 18 light years. With a visible size of 80′, it has a brightness of 3.3 m. The brightest star in the cluster has a magnitude of 5.6m.

In addition to the dark area, which is clearly visible in astrophotos, next to open cluster the globular cluster NGC 6453 hid. Due to the high concentration of stars, the cluster is often ignored and not noticed, but we will not do this and designate some characteristics for it.

Faint (10.2 m) globular cluster NGC 6453 has an angular size of 7.6′ and is located next to a large and bright open cluster M7. On the Internet, as well as among astronomy lovers, this cluster is unpopular and poorly understood. Due to the strong illumination of the neighboring cluster and the very high density of background stars, the cluster can be easily missed even when the eyepiece is pointed directly at this "globular". Try to distinguish it from the background stars and distinguish its structure, maybe even one of you will be able to make sketches or see some bizarre, but well-remembered shape for you. Remember how with globular clusters.

8. Globular star cluster NGC 6441

globular cluster NGC 6441 by itself is not as beautiful as paired with a double star - an orange giant G Sco. The apparent dimensions of the cluster are 9.6′, while the brightness is 7.2 m . At low magnifications, it looks like two bright and large stars that compete with each other “who is in charge”.

Below is a more detailed snapshot of the cluster, in which the star Fayu (Fuye) or simpler G Sco does not interfere:

We don’t go far, we find an open cluster NGC 6400. A very ambiguous cluster, some do not consider it a group of associated interacting stars at all. The cluster has other names: Phantom cluster or John Silver cluster. The latter is a fictional character from the novel Treasure Island.

The brightness of the cluster is 12.0′, the visible dimensions are 8.8 m.

Another little-known open cluster - NGC 6396. It would be surprising if we did not get acquainted with many open clusters in the Milky Way band. This cluster has about 15-20 stars, has small size(3.0 ′), while the brightness is 8.5 m. It is located in the same way as the previous ones, not far from the large accumulation of Ptolemy.

11. Open star cluster M 6 (NGC 6405 or Butterfly cluster)

Another pearl of the constellation Scorpio is an open cluster M6. Due to its shape, resembling a butterfly with spread wings, the cluster is sometimes called "Butterfly".

Consists of about 80 stars with a total brightness of 4.2 m and an angular diameter of 25 ′. The distance from the Sun is approximately 20 light years.

You may have noticed how “colored” and uneven the background is. In this area, there is a process of active star formation, a lot of dark, diffuse and reflective nebulae, which are so clearly visible in astrophotography. With a telescope (or astronomical binoculars), when observed, the cluster will look something like this:

The image above shows that most of the stars in the cluster are hot blue giants, however, one star is an orange giant K. This is a variable star that changes its brightness from 5.5 to 7m.

Near the investigated cluster M6 there is another open cluster NGC 6416, which is often observed in pairs:

A pair of clusters M 6 (right) and NGC 6416 (left)

Compared to neighboring cluster M6 given NGC 6416 does not look so bright and memorable. However, using wide-angle eyepieces and low magnification will give you a great picture and scale of star coalitions. The brightness of the studied cluster is 5.7 m , the apparent angular dimensions are 15.0'.

We raise the telescope tube a few degrees and notice another bunch of bright stars - this is an open cluster NGC 6425. Brightness - 7.2 m , visible dimensions - 10.0'. Consists of about 40 stars of 11-14 magnitudes.

One degree west of the cluster, there is a bright 4.5m star that can serve as an excellent guide when looking for the cluster. Although, it should be noted that such accumulations to M6 And M7 would be the best starting points for finding neighboring clusters and nebulae.

We rise again and approach close to the constellation Scorpio, on the border with it there is another cluster - NGC 6451. Visible dimensions - 8.0', brightness - 8.2 m. This, like the last few clusters discussed above, lies in the band of the Milky Way and in the clearest weather, the concentration of stars can simply confuse and confuse even the most professional deep-sky finders. Try to still separate the object under study and the stars in the background. You should not study open clusters at high magnifications: you will not get any aesthetic or practical benefit from this. 25-50 times is enough to study and see the entire cluster.

In the name of the cluster, you could notice two serial numbers at once: NGC 6374 And NGC 6383. This happens and it happens most often due to the fact that initially NGC 6374 separated as an open cluster, a little later appeared NGC 6383, which stands for nebula. However, scientists later found out that this is the same object and decided to combine it. Thus, no matter which number is easier for you to remember or use, you will study the same object - a cluster with a nebula. Although it is also worth noting that the nebula as such is very difficult to distinguish, even with fast optics and long exposure. When looking through the eyepiece of a telescope, you will see an image similar to the image above.

The brightness of the cluster is 5.5 m , while the apparent angular dimensions are 20.0'. This is a large cluster, in the center of which there is a rotating variable binary star with a magnitude of 5.75 m.

Initially, I did not want to include this cluster NGC 6404 in the review of the constellation Scorpio because of its weak brightness (10.6 m) and small size 6.0 ′, but then I decided: since I got it, I need to finish the job.

open cluster NGC 6404 really very dim, the complexity of observation is added by the neighboring M6. The brightest star in the cluster has a brightness of 15th magnitude, but in total there are about 25 stars of 15-17 magnitudes.

17. The emission nebula with the open cluster Omar (NGC 6357)

(image clickable)

We did not noticeably approached the very "heart" of the constellation, to the most "tidbit" piece, to lobster nebula or else you can find a loud name - Nebula "War and Peace".

Scorpio ( Scorpius) - the southern zodiac constellation, located between Sagittarius in the east and in the west entirely in, borders on the north and south. enters the constellation of Scorpio on November 23, but leaves it on November 29 (this constellation of the Sun passes in the shortest time) to move into the non-zodiacal constellation of Ophiuchus for 20 days. Many bright outlines the head, body and tail of the "scorpion". Most bright stars: Antares - 0.8 m, Shaula - 1.6 m and Sargas - 1.9 m. The best conditions for observations are in May-June. The constellation is visible entirely in the southern and partially in the central regions of Russia.

Story

Ancient constellation. Included in the catalog of the starry sky by Claudius Ptolemy "Almagest".

According to Aratus, Orion quarreled with Artemis; angry, she sent a scorpion, which killed the youth. Arat adds an astronomical piece to this myth: "When Scorpio rises in the east, Orion hurries to hide in the west." There are many variants of this Greek myth.

Antares

The brightest star Antares (α Scorpio), which in Greek means "rival of Ares (Mars)", is located in the "heart of the scorpion." This is a red supergiant with insignificant brightness variability (from 0.86 to 1.06 magnitudes); in brightness and color, this star is really very similar to. Its diameter is about 700 times larger than that of the Sun, and its luminosity is 9000 times greater than that of the Sun. Antares is visually beautiful: its brighter component is blood red, and its less bright neighbor is bluish white, but it appears green in contrast to its companion.

asterisms

The characteristically shaped chain of constellation stars is often distinguished as an asterism Tail (Sting) scorpion. It includes a different number of stars, but it is usually considered starting from Antares. In this case, the asterism consists of the stars α (Antares), τ, ε, μ, ζ, η, θ, ι, κ, λ and ν Scorpio. Sometimes δ and γ stars are added to it. In the Arabic tradition, the asterism is truncated to four stars (ι, κ, λ and ν Scorpio) and is called Girtab(also called the star κ Scorpio, central in the asterism).

Alternative modern name - Fishing hook.

A pair of nearby stars λ and υ at the very end scorpion tail make up an asterism Cat's eyes.

Other objects

The star Akrab (β Scorpio) the Greeks called Rafias, which means "crab"; it is a bright double (magnitude 2.6 and 4.9) that can be seen in 50mm. . At the tip of the “tail of a scorpion” is Shaula (λ Scorpio), translated from Arabic - a sting. In this constellation, the most powerful discrete X-ray source in the sky, Scorpius X-1, was found, identified with hot blue; astronomers believe that this is a close binary system, where it is paired with a normal

It is best to admire the constellation Scorpio in Bulgaria.

constellation location

This is because Scorpio is located in the southern part of the zodiac. The constellation contains 17 stars brighter than the fourth magnitude, the brightest being Antares. In addition, the stellar incarnation of the poisonous desert insect includes large clusters of celestial bodies.

In the ripples of bright suns, it is easy to see a Scorpio with an upturned tail, claws and a sharp sting - just done his dirty deed and ready for a new attack. By the way, the victim is here, nearby - Orion, dying for thousands of years from a deadly bite.

Thanks to the villainy, Scorpio was honored with the eternal memory of the stars.

According to ancient Greek myth, a scorpion mortally stung the legendary hunter Orion, a brave and handsome young man. Poisoned Orion died on the island of Chios, and the stars to this day act as silent witnesses of a long-standing battle.

constellation dimensions

From the contemplation of a grandiose panorama, the reddish brilliance of Antares, the supergiant, Scorpio, can distract. Its diameter is 428 times the diameter of our Sun.

Another star of Scorpio radiates a huge amount of energy: the radiation power is 400,000 times greater than the radiation power of our poor and small (by cosmic standards) Sun.
Twelve signs of the Zodiac, if you strain, everyone will remember. But not everyone knows why these particular constellations were singled out.

Twelve miracle constellations in the zodiac belt

Surprisingly, the sky above us does not stand still. It is in constant motion - only the location is relatively constant. polar star. Nevertheless, the ancient Greeks, and after them the entire Western civilization, singled out the twelve miracle constellations into a separate zodiac belt.
The zodiac is a band of constellations within which the sun, moon and five planets of the solar system move across the starry sky. Initially, there were more fateful clusters of luminaries. So, ancient Mesopathamian astronomers four thousand years ago counted 30 names of constellations.

Mention of the Zodiac by the ancients

In 700 B.C. The zodiac as a band of constellations is mentioned in scientific work"Mul-Apin". The author of this treatise lists 18 names: Stars, Heavenly Bull, Righteous Shepherd Anu, Old Man, Staff, Great Twins, Crab, Lion, Furrow, Libra, Scorpio, Pabilsag, Goat-Fish, Giant, Tails, Swallow, Anunitu and Mercenary.
Finally, the list of fateful miraculous constellations was formed under the influence of rational mathematics.

The zodiac belt was divided strictly into 12 parts

in 30 degrees of the celestial sphere each: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. By the way the Sun and the Moon move along this strip, people have learned to predict the future. Someone believes, someone not so much: if you divide the 8 billion living earthlings by 12, you get a lot of identical destinies. Nevertheless, the constellations are not forgotten and remain a wonderful discovery of the cosmic world order.