Star profile

Eta Scorpii

3D likeness based on its real data · class F · ~6,500 K

What is Eta Scorpii

Eta Scorpii lights up the Scorpion's tail, not far from the celestial sting formed by Shaula and Lesath. At 73 light-years, this yellow F-type subgiant spins on its axis at a remarkable rate —more than a hundred kilometres per second at its equator—, enough to flatten it slightly. Its calm brilliance makes it one of the easiest stars to find for anyone tracing the constellation's curve southward.

Where it is and when to see it

Eta Scorpii lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is June, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it never rises above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 6° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 81° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 47° N.

It ranks no. 15 in brightness among the 104 stars of Scorpius in our catalogue. To find it, start from Antares, the brightest: it lies about 19° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 74 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Eta Scorpii

Constellation: Scorpius
Apparent magnitude: 3.32
Distance: 73.5 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 258.038° · Dec -43.239°
Catalogue: HIP 84143 · HD 155203

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Other stars in Scorpius

Scorpius has 104 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 104 stars in Scorpius