Star Names
The Crown (al-iklil)
The Crown of the Scorpion (iklil al-‘aqrab)
The Crown is part of the Arabian constellation of the Scorpion (al-‘aqrab). The Arabian Scorpion followed the image of the scorpion defined by the Sumerians more than 3000 years ago. The Crown represented the head (al-ra’s) of the Scorpion.
The Crown (al-iklil) of the Scorpion (al-‘aqrab) as it appears in the west about 45 minutes before sunrise in mid-May. Sky simulations made with Stellarium.
Appearance
A trio of bright stars arranged in a row like the central three stars of Jawza’.
Modern Identification
β SCO (Acrab), blue-white double star, magnitudes 2.6 and 4.9
δ SCO (Dschubba), blue-white star, magnitude 2.3
π SCO, blue-white star, magnitude 2.9
Timing
Like the Two Claws, the stars of the Crown are arranged in a north-south direction, and they took about a week to set from first to last. Ibn Qutayba (d. 879 CE) reported that the Crown was said to rise on the morning of November 14 and set on the morning of May 14. On account of the precession of the equinoxes, today we can expect to observe the Crown setting in early June and rising in early December, as seen from the latitude of Tucson. (See How to Observe on the About page for more on this topic.)
Rain Stars
The Crown of the Scorpion does not figure in the calendar of the rains stars.
Lunar Stations
In early listings of the lunar stations, the Crown is the 19th station of the year. This was later changed to the 17th lunar station after the stations were adjusted to begin with the vernal equinox. The stars of the Crown match the Hindu nakshatra called Anuradha.
Related Stars and Celestial Complexes
The Crown is part of the Scorpion (al-‘aqrab, العقرب) folkloric celestial complex, which extends from the Two Claws (az-zubanayan, الزبانيان) to the Raised Tail (ash-shawla, الشولة).
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