Beta Scorpii (Acrab or Graffias) -- Multiple Star System in Scopius
Northern Claw of the Scorpion
Beta Scorpii is a pretty double-star in amateur telescopes, easy to find and easily separated,
plus both primary and secondary stars are a pleasing bluish-white color. It really is a six-star
system but resolving the other four stars is impossible in my telescope. Beta Scorpii has
several names but is usually referred to as Acrab (the scorpion) or Graffias (the crab). Since
the star's location is the northern claw in the constellation Scorpius and both crabs and
scorpions have claws, both names likely refer to the claw of one or the other.
plus both primary and secondary stars are a pleasing bluish-white color. It really is a six-star
system but resolving the other four stars is impossible in my telescope. Beta Scorpii has
several names but is usually referred to as Acrab (the scorpion) or Graffias (the crab). Since
the star's location is the northern claw in the constellation Scorpius and both crabs and
scorpions have claws, both names likely refer to the claw of one or the other.