Star Names
The Segments (al-fiqarat/al-faqar)
The Segments are 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 Segments represent the exoskeletal segments in the tail of the Scorpion.
The Segments (al-fiqarat) of the Scorpion (al-‘aqrab) as they appear in the west about 45 minutes before sunrise in mid-May. Sky simulations made with Stellarium.
Appearance
A curved line of bright white stars that connect the Heart (al-qalb) and its Aorta (an-niyat) to the Raised Tail (ash-shawla).
Modern Identification
ε SCO, orange giant star, magnitude 2.3
μ SCO, blue double star, magnitudes 3.0 and 3.6
ζ SCO, white and orange multiple star system, magnitudes 4.9, 4.9, 7.2, 7.2 and 8.0
η SCO, yellow star, magnitude 3.3
θ SCO, yellow-white supergiant star, magnitude 1.9
ι SCO, yellow-white star, magnitude 3.0
κ SCO, blue star, magnitude 2.4
Timing
The stars of the Segments rise and set over the course of about 3 weeks. On account of the precession of the equinoxes, today we can expect to observe the Segments setting from late May through mid-June and rising from late December through mid-January, as seen from the latitude of Tucson. (See How to Observe on the About page for more on this topic.)
Rain Stars
The Segments of the Scorpion do not figure in the calendar of the rains stars.
Lunar Stations
The Segments are not one of the lunar stations.
Related Stars and Celestial Complexes
The Segments are 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).
Related Blog Posts
Searing Heat from the Indelible Scorpion