About Fang
Description
Pi Scorpii is a blue binary of spectral type B1V+B2V at magnitude 2.89 in Scorpius. Located about 459 light-years from Earth, it consists of two hot blue stars orbiting each other every 1.57 days — one of the shortest-period bright eclipsing binaries. It lies in the upper body of the Scorpion.
Observing Tips
Pi Sco lies near the head of Scorpius, between Dschubba and the rich star fields toward the Milky Way. It is a blue-white star in a region containing several other bright Scorpius stars. Best observed June through August.
History
Pi Scorpii has no widely used traditional name. Its eclipsing binary nature was discovered through precision photometry. The system is a member of the Upper Scorpius subgroup of the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association.
Fun Facts
Pi Sco's two stars orbit so closely that they complete one revolution in just 1.57 days. The stars are nearly touching — separated by only about 13 times their own radii — and are tidally distorted into egg shapes.
Observe
1Physical Properties
2Position & Identifiers
3How easy to spot?
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
5Survey Image
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Explore
7
Size Comparison
8
Compare Stars
9
Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
11
Stellar Lifecycle
12
Blackbody Spectrum
13
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
14
Stellar Fusion
Discover
15Stellar Notes
16
Light Travel Time Machine
17
Relativistic Travel
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
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