Orion Stars: Brightest Star, Position & How to Spot

Orion stars make up the most famous and prominent constellation in the night sky. It can be easily spotted on clear nights especially from November to February. The constellation formed by these Stars is often called the Orion Constellation or the Hunter. 

Three very bright stars in the night sky form the Orion Belt. This means these three collinear stars signify the belt of the hunter which is the entire constellation. These three stars are; Alnilam, Mintaka and Alnitak.

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Orion Constellation

The constellation formed by the Orion Stars is the Orion Constellation. One can see this constellation from any corner of the world! A fun fact about this constellation is that it is the 26th largest constellation in the sky and occupies an area of 594 square degrees in space. 

The brightest stars in the Orion group are Rigel and Betelgeuse. The other stars except the Orion belt are Siaph, Meissa, Hatsya and Bellatrix. Together these stars form the Orion constellation along with some nebulas and other stars. 

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Positioning of Orion Stars

Located on the celestial equator, the unique positioning of these stars makes this marvellous constellation possible. As discussed earlier, Alnilam, Mintaka and Alnitak form the Orion belt. Betelgeuse forms the right shoulder of the hunter and Bellatrix symbolises the left shoulder. The Hatsya star establishes the tip of the Orion belt and Meissa is the head of the Orion. 

Saiph star is the right knee of the hunter and Rigel, the brightest one forms the left knee. The sword of the hunter includes the Orion Nebula, the Messier 43 Nebula, the Running Man Nebula, along with Theta Orionis, Iota Orionis, and 42 Orionis stars. The Hunter’s Club includes the U Orionis and the shield includes all Pi Orionis including the Tabit. 

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How to Spot Orion Stars? 

If you want to spot Orion from your place then you can follow a simple rule. Orion will be in the southwestern sky if you are in the northern hemisphere and similarly, it will be in the northwestern sky if you are in the southern hemisphere. 

The best place to spot the Orion stars is between 85° to -75° latitudes. Moreover, when Orion is in the northern hemisphere, it signifies the onset of winter. Subsequently, its position in the southern hemisphere means summer months are on. 

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