Laser-induced dispersed fluorescence spectra of ScN molecules, produced in a free-jet apparatus, have been studied. Low-energy first excited state, a(3)Sigma(+) predicted by ab initio calculations, has been observed for the first time. The relative term energies of the vibrational levels of the X-1 Sigma(+) ground, a(3)Sigma(+), and A(1)Sigma(+) states have been determined. The harmonic wavenumbers equal to 787.7(3) and 1044.8(1) cm(-1), respectively for the X-1 Sigma(+) and A(1)Sigma(+) states and Delta G(1/2)= 888(11) cm(-1) for the a(3)Sigma(+) state have been measured. RKR potential energy curves of the X-1 Sigma(+) ground as well as a(3)Sigma(+) and A(1)Sigma(+) low-energy excited states have been constructed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.