 |
|
|
|
Sky Chart: July 2008
|
| |
|
 |
Looking South.
Not all the 88 constellations in our sky resemble their namesakes; one delightful exception to the rule is Scorpius the Scorpion. As it skirts the southern horizon on early summer nights, it displays a north-south line of 2nd - and 3rd – magnitude stars that represent its head. Just to the E brilliant red Antares (whose name means "Rival of Mars" – a planet it can closely resemble in color and brightness) represents the scorpion’s heart. A curve of stars sweeps behind to mark the body of the animal and its upturned tail. Shaula, a 1.6-magnitude star, forms the menacing-looking stinger. In Greek mythology, Scorpius was sent by the gods to punish the upstart hunter Orion; true to the legend, the two adversaries were put on opposite sides of the sky, and so never appear together. (Click image to enlarge)*
|
| |
| |
