Scutum: The Shield
Pronunciation: SCOOT-um
| Scutum Constellation Profile | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation: Sct | Genitive: Scuti |
| Origin: Hevelius | Location: Southern Hemisphere |
| Best View (North): Summer | Best View (South): |
| Bordering Constellations: Aquila, Serpens Cauda, Sagittarius | |
The Myth Behind the Constellation Scutum
Scutum, “The Shield” is another modern constellation created by Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in the late seventeenth century. Originally it was named Scutum Sobiescanum, “Shield of Sobieski” to honor John Sobieski, the king of Poland, who defeated the Ottoman forces in the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Later it was shortened to Scutum.Scutum Constellation Points of Interest
| Interesting Objects in the Constellation Scutum | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Messier | NGC | Type | Visibility |
| Wild Duck Cluster | M11 | NGC 6705 | Open Cluster | Binoculars |
| M26 | NGC 6694 | Open Cluster | Binoculars | |