Not many of the sky’s 88 constellations look like the mythological figures they portray. Of the handful that do, the most compelling formation arguably belongs to Scorpius, now up at nightfall in the southeast.
From the ancient Greeks to the pre-Columbian Maya, civilizations spanning time and geography all saw a scorpion in this grouping. That’s not surprising, given Scorpius’s claws, its fiery red heart, and especially its long, bright curvy tail, which culminates in a blue stinger.
The scorpion’s only serious rival for honors for best constellation is on the opposite side of the sky: the hunter, Orion, which has the unfair advantage of rising higher. But perhaps the two should share the prize, since you can’t compare them directly--one always sets as the other rises. Classical legend says this is because of a feud that began when Orion was killed by the scorpion. It’s a shame they couldn’t get ...
