Orion

Also known as Ori, Orionis, Orion (constellation)

constellation straddling the celestial equator

AI overview

Orion is a constellation that straddles the celestial equator, making it visible from both hemispheres of Earth. It matters because its prominent position in the night sky has made it one of the most recognizable and studied star patterns throughout human history.

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Wikidata facts

Official name: Orion
Area: 594
Image: OrionCC.jpg

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Commons category: Orion (constellation)
short name: Ori
Commons gallery: Orion

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Article

Orion is a prominent set of stars visible during winter in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is one of the 88 modern constellations; it was among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century AD astronomer Ptolemy. It is named after a hunter in Greek mythology.

Orion is most prominent during winter evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, as are five other constellations that have stars in the Winter Hexagon asterism. Orion's two brightest stars, Rigel (β) and Betelgeuse (α), are both among the brightest stars in the night sky; both are supergiants and slightly variable. There are a further six stars brighter than magnitude 3.0, including three making the short straight line of the Orion's Belt asterism. Orion also hosts the radiant of the annual Orionids, the strongest meteor shower associated with Halley's Comet, and the Orion Nebula, one of the brightest nebulae in the sky.