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Antares shows the deepest red of the leading stars, a B–V colour index of 1.865 matching its M-type classification. Designated Alpha Scorpii, it dominates the constellation Scorpius, where its ruddy glow at apparent magnitude 1.06 sits close to the ecliptic and is sometimes mistaken for the planet Mars. The star lies roughly 554 light-years away, and its absolute magnitude of −5.09 marks an intrinsic output far exceeding the Sun's. A southern declination of −26° keeps Antares low in the sky for northern observers while making it a prominent summer landmark across the southern hemisphere.