Scorpius is a cool group of stars that looks like a scorpion! It’s located in the middle of our galaxy, the Milky Way. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you can see it really well. But if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, you can still spot it low in the southern sky. The best time to see Scorpius is during the summer, especially in July.
Scorpius is also one of the twelve constellations used in astrology, where it’s called ‘Scorpio.’ The name “Scorpius” comes from the Latin word for ‘scorpion,’ which is pretty fitting since that’s what it looks like!
In ancient Greek stories, Scorpius has a special connection with a hunter named Orion. The tale goes that Orion bragged he could hunt every animal on Earth. This made Mother Earth mad, so she sent a giant scorpion to stop him. After Orion was defeated, Zeus, the king of the gods, put both Orion and Scorpius in the sky. This way, Scorpius is always chasing Orion across the sky, with Orion showing up in winter and Scorpius in summer.
Scorpius is easy to find because it looks like a long hook, just like a scorpion’s tail! It has some really bright stars and is home to amazing star clusters like the Butterfly Cluster and the Ptolemy Cluster.
If you love looking at the stars, try finding Scorpius on a clear summer night. Look towards the southern horizon, and you’ll see the constellation of the scorpion. Its special shape and bright stars make it a fun and exciting part of the night sky to explore!
Create Your Own Constellation: Using a piece of black construction paper and some white chalk or stickers, create your own constellation. Think about what shape you want your constellation to have and what story it might tell. Once you’ve created your constellation, share it with your family or friends and explain the story behind it. This activity helps you understand how constellations are formed and the creativity involved in their stories.
Starry Night Observation: With the help of an adult, go outside on a clear night and try to find Scorpius in the sky. Use a simple star map or a stargazing app to help you locate it. Once you’ve found Scorpius, see if you can spot any other constellations nearby. Write down or draw what you see in a stargazing journal. This will help you learn how to identify constellations and understand their positions in the sky.
Mythology Story Time: Read or listen to a story about Scorpius and Orion. Then, imagine you are a character in the story. What would you do if you were Orion or the scorpion? Write a short story or draw a picture about your adventure in the sky. This activity encourages you to think creatively and understand the mythological significance of constellations.
