The electronic transition (1)Sigma(+)-X-1 Sigma(+) of scandium monophosphide (ScP) has been observed around 11900 cm(-1) using laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. This is the first observation of the ScP spectrum. The spectrum covering ten vibronic bands with v up to 4 was assigned and analyzed. Molecular constants for the vibronic levels involved were obtained by least-squares fitting of the measured line positions. The equilibrium bond length in the upper (1)Sigma(+) state was found to be 2.1590 angstrom, which was slightly shorter than that of 2.1995 angstrom in the X-1 Sigma(+) state, in agreement with results from recent calculations. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.