Orion (The Hunter)

Most recognizable constellation, straddling the celestial equator with the red supergiant Betelgeuse and the Orion Nebula stellar nursery.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Betelgeuse's dramatic 'Great Dimming' of 2019-2020 was traced to a cloud of dust the star ejected, not an impending supernova.
• The Orion Nebula, about 1,300 light-years away, is the nearest massive star-forming region and is visible to the naked eye.
• Its belt stars Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka are hot blue supergiants and giants, each tens of thousands of times more luminous than the Sun.

Specifications & Metrics

• BRIGHTEST STAR: Rigel (β Ori)
• HEMISPHERE: Equatorial (visible worldwide)
• BEST VIEWED: January