Menu

RR Scorpii — Variable Star in Scorpius

Observable Variable Star Showpiece (80/100)

Range: 5.0 - 12.4, Period: 281.0d, Type: M

VariableStar Scorpius (Sco) Visible
Star Map
+ List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.00
Range 5.0 - 12.4
Period 281 days
Variable Type Mira (Long-period Pulsating)
Spectral Type M

2Position & Identifiers

RA 16h 56m 38.0s
Dec -30° 34' 48.0"
Constellation Scorpius (Sco)
HR 9131
HIP 82912
HD 152783
Variable ID RR Sco
SIMBAD

3How easy to follow?

Magnitude 5.0 – 12.4 mag Amplitude 7.4 mag Period 281 d Type M
Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.
Equipment Bortle 3 Bortle 4 Bortle 5
Naked eye Imp. Imp. Imp.
50mm finder Imp. Imp. Imp.
150mm scope Hard+ Hard V. hard+
Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

To reach "Medium" at Bortle 3, you'd need at least a 170 mm reflector.

4Visibility

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Apr – Jun (peak: May)

5Light Curve

6Comparison Stars

Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)

Loading comparison stars…

Explore

7

Size Comparison

Querying VizieR for stellar data…
8

Compare Stars

9

Spectral Classification

10

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

Loading HR diagram…
Read: The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram — Reading Stars Like a Map
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

Mira; Mira variable

Survey Image

Loading survey image…

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.

M62
NGC 6266
Easy
Globular cluster — dense ball of ancient stars
Globular Cluster mag 6.6 1.1° Ophiuchus
Bug Nebula
NGC 6302
Hard+
Small bright planetary nebula
Planetary Nebula mag 9.6 7.4° Scorpius
V923 Sco
Hard+
Eclipsing binary, period 34.8d
Variable Star mag 5.91 7.7° Scorpius
Show on Map

Explore Nightbase

Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.

Arthur Eddington
1919 eclipse expedition confirming general relativity; first theory of stellar interiors; the Eddington limit
Biography
Variable Stars — A Guide for Observers
A practical guide to visual observation of variable stars: estimating magnitudes, finding comparison stars, recording data, and contributing to science with AAVSO.
Article
Scorpius
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
}