Key Information
Tau Scorpii
| Type | Star |
| Star Type | B0.2 V (Blue main sequence) |
| Diameter | 5,550,577 miles |
| Mass | 15 M☉ |
| Temperature | 51,491 °F |
| Distance | 470 light years |
| Date of Discovery | Unknown |
| Other Names | Paikauhale, Alniyat, Al Niyat, τ Sco, 23 Sco, HD 149438, HIP 81266, HR 6165 |
Learning Point
- Tau Scorpii, also known as Paikauhale, is a high-octane blue-white star located 470 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. This massive powerhouse is 15 times heavier than the Sun and shines 25,000 times brighter, making it one of the most luminous objects in the scorpion’s “heart” region. Despite its intense energy and powerful X-ray emissions, it is a surprisingly slow spinner, rotating once every 41 days. Because it burns through its fuel so quickly, it will eventually transform into a massive red supergiant, proving that even the brightest stars have short, dramatic lives.
Project
- Create a diagram of Tau Scorpii’s magnetic field.
- Overview
- Magnetic Field
Location
| Location | Scorpius constellation, within the Milky Way |
Fun Facts
- While our Sun is yellow, Tau Scorpii is so incredibly hot that it glows with a beautiful blue-white color, looking like a sparkling diamond in the night sky.
- In Hawaii, this star is named Paikauhale, which means “the wanderer.” It is named after a person who travels from house to house without a permanent home.
- This star is constantly shooting out powerful X-rays into space. If you had “X-ray vision” goggles, Tau Scorpii would be one of the brightest things you could see!
- Ancient people called it an “artery” because it sits right next to the bright red star Antares, which is known as the “Heart of the Scorpion.”
- Because it is so big and hot, it burns its fuel very fast. It will only live for a few million years, while our smaller Sun will live for billions of years!
Past Lessons
| 172 | April 14, 2026 | (North America) |