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Constellations Orion The Hunter

Orion is one of the most prominent and most recognizable constellations in our winter sky. Located on the celestial equator, the constellation is visible throughout the world. On the northern hemisphere, it dominates the Winter sky. Orion has been recognized as a constellation since prehistoric times. The constellation is named after the hunter Orion in Greek mythology. It is one of the 48 original Ptolemaic Constellations. Orion's brightest stars are the blue supergiant Rigel and the red supergiant Betelgeuse. Rigel is also part of an asterism called the Winter Hexagon while Betelgeuse is part of another asterism called the Winter Triangle.

Orion in the Night Sky

Legends about the constellation can be found in many cultures. This section describes the constellation as it is seen in the night sky. For myth and star lore about Orion, click here.

Star maps based on map provided by Sea & Sky

The stars of Orion

Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Designation M41 M43 M78 α β γ ε ζ κ δ ι π3 η λ π4 σ π5

Name Orion Nebula De Mairan's Nebula M78 Betelgeuse Rigel Bellatrix Alnilam Alnitak Saif Mintaka Nair al Saif π3 Ori η Ori Meissa π4 Ori σ Ori π5 Ori

Number 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Designation ο2 μ π2 χ1 ν ξ υ χ2 π1 π6 ο1 τ φ1 φ2 ω ψ1 ψ2

Name ο2 Ori μ Ori π2 Ori χ1 Ori ν Ori ξ Ori Thabit χ2 Ori π1 Ori π6 Ori ο1 Ori τ Ori φ1 Ori φ2 Ori ω Ori ψ1 Ori ψ2 Ori

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