entral position of this gigantic
figure. It is situated almost exactly in the mid-heavens, being nearly
equidistant from the poles, and midway between the vernal and autumnal
equinoxes.

[Illustration: OPHIUCHUS

SERPENS]

SCORPIUS (sk[^o]r'-pi-us)--THE SCORPION. (Face South.)

LOCATION.--Scorpius, 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[deg] southwest of Ras Alhague,
in Ophiuchus, and a little over 20[deg] 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. It is one of the reddest stars in
the firmament.

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. [l] and [y] are a
striking pair and the fine clusters above them can be seen with the
naked eye.

A record of a lunar occultation of [b] Scorpii in 295 B.C. is extant.

Note a pair just below [b]. They are known as [[^o]]^1 and [[^o]]^2.

In this region of the sky have appeared many of the brilliant
temporary stars, the first one in astronomical annals being discovered
in 134 B.C.

Scorpius is mentioned by all the early writers on astronomy and is
supposed to be so named because in Egypt it was a sickly time of the
year when the sun entered this sign.

[Illustration: SCORPIUS]

LIBRA (l[=i]'-bra)--THE SCALES. (Face Southwest.)

LOCATION.--Libra is one of the signs of the zodiac, and lies between
Virgo and Scorpius. Its two chief stars, [a] and [b], may be
recognized west of and above the head of the Scorpion.

The star [i] Librae is about 20[deg] northwest of Antares in the Scorpion.
Spica in Virgo, a star of the first magnitude, is a little over 20[deg]
northwest of [a] Librae.

A quadrilateral is formed by the stars [a], [b], [g], [e], which
characterizes the constellation.

The star [a] Librae looks elongated. An opera-glass shows that it has a
fifth-magnitude companion.

[b] is a pale green star. Its color is very unusual.

Lyra, Corona, and Hercules are a