Scorpio - the most wrong constellation, in terms of the zodiac circle. According to the boundaries of the constellations finally approved in 1935, it accounts for only a small piece of the ecliptic on November 23-29, after which the Sun leaves for the constellation of Ophiuchus, which is not considered zodiac. Because of this, there is a constant debate in the astrological community about the truth or falsity of horoscopes associated with Scorpio. However, this article will focus on the knowledge gained by those patronized by Urania.
General digression
There aren't many constellations in the sky that really look like the object they represent. The heavenly Scorpio really bears resemblance to the earthly arthropod. It is no coincidence that the Aztecs, quite independently of the Greeks, called him by the same name. It is also very interesting that the constellation Scorpio in the sky, with its relatively small size, is very bright: more than a dozen stars in it are brighter than 3m. If you look at it where there is no light "smog" (incountryside), it is clearly seen that Scorpio seems to be bathing in the Milky Way, plunging his "tail" into one of the richest sections of the sleeve of our Galaxy.
Most interesting objects
Antares. The brightest star in the constellation Scorpio, is one of the most conspicuous luminaries in the earth's sky. A red supergiant, very similar to Mars in both its color and brightness (0.86m). It is a visual double star, and in the blood-red glow, the bluish-white Antares appears green.
Beta Scorpio (Akrab). This star looks like a nesting doll. At first it was assumed that this is a classic double luminary. However, careful research has shown that there are at least five stars in the Akrab system, orbiting their companions. It is assumed that fivefold is not the limit.
Scorpion X-1. The strongest source of radiation in the X-ray range, second only to the Sun. In its place, the hot blue variable V818 Scorpii was discovered. A binary system with a neutron star is suspected.
GRO J1655-40. A binary star, one of whose components is invisible from Earth. Nevertheless, it was possible to establish that the invisible one literally devours the gas "pulled" from the visible star. Perhaps Scorpio is a constellation that has its own black hole.
1RXS J160929.1-210524. An orange dwarf with only 15% less mass than the Sun. In 2008, this star was discovereda planet with 8.4 Jupiter masses, which for the first time in the history of astronomy was photographed with a telescope.
Gliese 667C. This star, already quite well studied by astronomers, in 2013 gave them a surprise (in general, Scorpio is a constellation of surprises.) Three planets of the "super-Earth" type have already been discovered, and they are located at such a distance from the luminary that allows the presence of liquid water on their surface. Now scientists are looking for the alleged fourth.
To this it should be added that it was in the constellation of Scorpio in 134 BC. e. Hipparchus, an outstanding astronomer of antiquity, observed the birth of a new star. This event prompted him to start compiling his famous star catalog, the first in Europe.
Scorpio is a constellation that is also not deprived of other astronomical objects. Five star clusters are located on its territory: two globular and three open.
