See HR 6084 — Star in Scorpius
HIP 81266; Tau Scorpii; 23 Scorpii
About See HR 6084
Description
Tau Scorpii is a blue main-sequence star of spectral type B0.2V at magnitude 2.82 in Scorpius, located about 470 light-years from Earth. It has a surface temperature of roughly 31,000 K and a luminosity of about 18,000 times solar. Tau Sco is remarkable for possessing an unusually strong and complex magnetic field for a B-type star — far stronger than expected for its spectral type.
Observing Tips
Tau Sco is located near the head of Scorpius, close to the brighter Antares. It appears as a blue-white star in a region rich with other luminous Scorpius members. Best observed from June through August when Scorpius is prominent in the southern evening sky. Compare its blue color with the red of Antares just a few degrees away.
History
Tau Scorpii has no widely used proper name. Its unusual magnetic properties were discovered in the early 2000s through spectropolarimetric observations. The star is a member of the Upper Scorpius subgroup of the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association, one of the nearest OB associations to the Sun.
Fun Facts
Tau Sco's magnetic field is a mystery — it is far too complex and strong for a normal B-type star. One theory suggests it may be the product of a stellar merger, where two less massive stars collided and combined, generating the unusual magnetic topology in the process.
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
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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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