Scorpius X-1
Also known as Sco X-1
Scorpius X-1 is an X-ray binary star in the constellation Scorpius, about 9,130 light-years from Earth.
Brightest X-ray source in the sky after the Sun
Facts
| Type | X-ray binary star (spectral type Oev) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Scorpius |
| Position (J2000) | 16h 19m 55s, −15° 38′ |
| Distance | 9,130 light-years (its light set off about 9,130 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 11.1 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 1,750 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Scorpius X-1 is highest in the sky at midnight in May. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 54° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 24°. To see it you need a small telescope.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Scorpius
- Butterfly Cluster (M6)
- Butterfly Nebula
- Cat's Paw Nebula
- M4 (NGC 6121)
- M80 (NGC 6093)
- Prawn Nebula
- Ptolemy Cluster (M7)
- War and Peace Nebula
Everything in Scorpius · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits