RANDALL MUSEUM • WWW.RANDALLMUSEUM.ORG • SAN FRANCISCO Scorpius, The Constellation

FUN FACT

Did you know that scorpions glow bright greens and blues when Ultraviolet light (black light) is Did you know one insect and its powers inhabit our skies? The shined on them? scorpion! Scientists use black Scorpius is a constellation in the center of the Milky Way. The lights to track stars lie in the Southern hemisphere, but are visible to us in scorpions at night. California in the summer time. The set of stars ends in a hooked shape that looks like a scorpion’s tail. In Greek mythology Scorpius and Orion, the hunter are linked forever. One day Orion was bragging to Leto (Mother Earth) and her daughter, Artemis (the Huntress) that he could kill every animal in the world. Concerned about the possibility of Orion’s prowess they sent a giant scorpion to kill Orion.

Zeus, the king then put Orion into the night sky after he died and also the Scorpion. For all eternity, Scorpius is chasing Orion. RANDALL MUSEUM • WWW.RANDALLMUSEUM.ORG • SAN FRANCISCO Scorpius, The Constellation

FUN FACT Baby scorpions ride on their mother’s backs for up to 2 months after they are born.

For a fun, simple craft cut or punch out the stars of Scorpius. A pen or a pointed chop stick are good tools for this. Carefully punch out the spots to make holes where the stars are. Be careful not to scratch the table by putting a magazine or something underneath. In a dark room hold your constellation up to the wall and shine a flashlight behind it. Make Scorpius project on your bedroom wall!