Antares

/ænˈtɑːriːz/ noun

Definition

A bright red star in the constellation Scorpius, one of the brightest stars visible from Earth.

Etymology

From Greek 'anti-Ares' (opposite Mars), named because of its reddish color similar to the planet Mars. Ancient Greek astronomers named it as a rival to the war god's planet.

Kelly Says

Antares means 'rival to Mars' in Greek, and when you look at it through a telescope, you see it's actually a red supergiant star so huge that if placed where our Sun is, it would swallow Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—talk about living up to its name as something mighty.

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