posted May 06, 2011 04:56 PM            

Every night I look at the sky, and would love to see my star sign constellation, Scorpius. I live in England so I don't think its particularly likely, as it is pretty much a southern hemisphere constellation - but I was wondering how many of you have seen yours? Did it feel special when you saw it?

I'm kicking myself for not remembering to look for it on any of my trips to Australia or New Zealand - doh!!

Rachel

posted May 07, 2011 03:02 PM            

Here is what scorpio looks like from London very late tonight.

This image was taken from stellarium, a free software. You can download it here.

I have the 10.4 version. Now the 10.6 is apparently available.

If you are on a latitude close to that of London, you can spot this singular shape in the sky tonight from 12:15 till dawn. Slightly later from the north of England (roughly from 1 am till dawn). You should look south.

Scorpio's most visible star is Antares, the constellation has the form of a S with Antares at the top followed by 3 stars that sort of make the shape of a claw, for lack of a better word.

You will not be able to see the bottom part of the constellation tonight in the sky (below the green line on the image which represents the horizon). Scorpio is slightly below the ecliptic and share it with ophiucus, the serpent bearer (may be that is why scorpio has multiple totem ...)

In the southern hemisphere it is probably visible entirely indeed I would think, but as far as I am aware, here (I am in France) it is never high in the sky, but always wandering from below the horizon to just above and down again, except in November and December when the sun cross the sign (but then it is daylight). You can see all that with stellarium.