OPHIUCHUS (of-i-u'-kus)—THE SERPENT BEARER, AND
SERPENS. (Face Southwest.)

LOCATION.-A line drawn from (ɛ) Delphinus to (y) in Aquila, prolonged about 30 degrees, strikes the star Ras Alhague, the brightest star in the constellation and the head of Ophiuchus. It is at one angle of an isosceles triangle, of which Altair is at the apex, and Vega the third angle.

Two constellations are here combined. Ophiuchus is represented as an old man, holding in his hands a writhing serpent. Ras Algethi, the head of Hercules, lies just west of Ras Alhague.

Equally distant southeast and southwest of Ras Alhague, are to be seen two stars close together, representing the shoulders of Ophiuchus. His foot rests on the Scorpion just above Antares.

The head of Serpens is the star group in the form of an "X" just below the Crown.

1604 indicates the spot where in that year a famous temporary star appeared, called Kepler's star.

Note the diamond group of stars below the "X", outlined in dotted line, and the asterism "The Bull of Poniatowskia" just east of (y).

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SCORPIO (skôr'-pi-ō)—THE SCORPION. (Face South.)

LOCATION. Scorpio, one of the signs of the Zodiac, is a beautiful star group, and one that is easily traced out. It lies just under the Serpent Bearer, between Sagittarius and Libra.

The resemblance to a Scorpion is not difficult to see, hence this constellation is perhaps the most aptly named of any.

The ruddy star Antares, the brightest star in the constellation, is in the heart of the Scorpion. It lies about 40 degrees southwest of Ras Alhague, in Ophiuchus, and a little over 20 degrees west of the bow of Sagittarius. The fact that it is the most brilliant star in this region of the sky renders its identity unmistakable.

There are several star clusters and double stars to be seen in this constellation. Their position is indicated in the diagram. The curved tail of the Scorpion is very conspicuous. The stars Lesuth and Shaula are a striking pair and the fine clusters above them can be seen with the naked eye.

A record of its

The ecliptic passes close to (B) Scorpii. occultation by the moon 295 B.C. is extant. Note a pair just below (B). They are known as (1) and (02).

Note a small pentagon, Antares being at one of its points, also a small "X" of stars just west of (x).

Scorpio is famous as the region of the sky where have appeared many of the brilliant temporary stars, the first one in astronomical annals being discovered in 134 B.C.