Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Locate the star Antares. Use a star chart to help you. Download a free one that is up to date with the time of year. Antares is easy to spot as it is the 15th brightest star in the sky.
Look for the scorpion's pincers to the west of Antares and the curving tail to the east. Antares is estimated to be 700 times the diameter of the sun and 10,000 times brighter.
Find the star Shaula. This is the second brightest star in Scorpio. Its name is thought to mean "sting." This star along with a much dimmer one form a straight line back from the curving tail that is considered to be the stinger of the scorpion.
Search for a globular cluster known as Messier object 4 by finding the midpoint between Antares and the star that joins the claws. Aim your binoculars at this spot and move slowly off the line and to the south. The object is very close to the line.
Observe another Messier object called the Butterfly Cluster or M6. Draw an imaginary line perpendicular to the stinger on the side opposite the tail. Make the line slightly longer than the length of the stinger. Aim your binoculars to the left side of the end of this line. The object is halfway between the two stars that form the stinger.