Acrab (β Sco)

Acrab (β Sco) is a double star in the constellation Scorpius, magnitude 2.6.

A bright, easy pair of blue-white stars in Scorpius. Its components (magnitudes 2.6 and 4.9; spectral types B0.5 V (blue-white) and B2 V (blue-white)) lie 13.7″ apart at PA 19° (measured 2021).

When and where to see it

It is best placed in the evening sky around June, when it crosses the meridian at about 10 pm local time (around midnight in May). It can be seen from everywhere south of 70°N and never sets south of 70°S.

At its highest it stands 20° up from 50°N, 35° up from 35°N, 70° up from the equator, 75° up from 35°S.

Facts

Type

Double star

Constellation

Scorpius

Designations

β Sco, Beta Scorpii, β¹ Sco, Beta¹ Scorpii, β² Sco, Beta² Scorpii, 8 Sco, 8 Scorpii, H 3 7, HIP 78820

Magnitude

2.6

Position

RA 16h 5.4m, Dec −19° 48′ (J2000)

Open AstroPilot to see when Acrab (β Sco) is highest tonight from your location, how easy it is with your telescope or binoculars, and an eyepiece view.