Scorpius.
Scorpius
The scorpion that killed the hunter Orion.
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Scorpius · 497 sq° of sky, brightest star Antares
Scorpius (Scorpius) is one of the brightest constellations of the southern sky, covering 497 square degrees. Its red supergiant heart-star Antares — "rival of Mars" — marks the centre of the figure, and the curving tail ends at Shaula, the Scorpion's stinger.
Scorpius, the Scorpion, is one of the most visually striking constellations in the sky, with its curving tail and brilliant red heart-star Antares — whose name means "rival of Mars" for its blood-red colour.
In one telling of the myth, the hunter Orion boasted he could kill any beast on earth. Gaia, offended by the hubris, sent a giant scorpion to humble him.
"Orion fled below the western horizon as the scorpion rose in the east — they never share the sky."
The scorpion stung Orion to death. Both were placed among the stars, but on opposite sides of the sky — when Scorpius rises in the east, Orion is fleeing below the western horizon, never seen together.
Where this comes from.
Mythology
- Aratus Phaenomena 634-646
- Hyginus Astronomica 2.26
- Aratus Phaenomena 637-640
Paintings & illustrations
- Diana over the Body of Orion — Daniel Seiter (c. 1685) · Wikimedia · PD
- Scorpio — Sidney Hall (engraver), Jehoshaphat Aspin (text) (1825) · Wikimedia · PD
For fun · sources cited. We don’t publish horoscopes, personality readings, or compatibility takes — just astronomy + classical mythology, with public-domain art where available. See all 88 constellations.