Starwatch: identifying the scorpion, mythical adversary of Orion

The full constellation can be frustrating to track down in the UK owing to its low presence in the southern sky

Published 20 July 2026 114 words
SCIENCE A1
Starwatch: identifying the scorpion, mythical adversary of Orion

This week, we can look for Scorpius, the Scorpion. It is a famous group of stars called a constellation.

In old stories, the Scorpion was sent to kill Orion, a hunter. These two constellations are in different parts of the sky. When the Scorpion appears, Orion is already gone.

People in the UK find it hard to see the whole Scorpion. It is very low in the southern sky. The chart shows the sky from London at 11pm on 24 July. The moon is also near the Scorpion.

The bright moon is close to Antares. This star is red and marks the Scorpion's heart. It looks like a ruby. Sometimes it twinkles because we see it through the thick air near the ground.

Vocabulary

constellation — a group of stars that form a pattern in the sky
mythology — old stories about gods and heroes
adversary — an opponent or enemy
southern sky — the part of the sky towards the south
horizon — the line where the sky and the land or sea seem to meet

Discussion Questions

  1. What is Scorpius?
  2. Why is it hard to see the Scorpion in the UK?
  3. What is Antares?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

Read the original article