12 Constellations That Inspired the Zodiac — and the Astronomers Who Mapped Them

8. Scorpio: The Scorpion

Scorpio, or Scorpius, is renowned for its bright ‘stinger’ stars and dramatic shape. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks regarded it as the scorpion that killed Orion. It has been mapped extensively, with the red supergiant Antares as its heart. Ptolemy’s catalog and modern star atlases highlight Scorpio’s striking profile. More on Scorpius at Sky & Telescope: skyandtelescope.org/press-releases/the-scorpion-and-the-teapot/