Orion is one of the best known and most recognizable star-patterns in the sky. This constellation is rich in bright stars and nebulae lying on the edge of the Milky Way. Orion is a well-known constellation and has had special significance for many cultures throughout history. It is hard to know when it was first identified, but it was probably first discovered by Sumerian and Babylonian astronomers 4000 years ago. When we look to the sky, he is holding a lions head instead of a bow or shield and is stalking Taurus, the Bull. Canis Major, his dog, is behind him and it is chasing Lepus, the Hare. Also it is said Orion fancied Merope (One of the Seven Sisters or Pleiades) but she was not interested in him, despite anything he did. He pursued her for seven years. But then he stepped on Scorpius, the scorpion and he died. The Gods felt pity on him and put Orion and his dog in the sky as constellations.The animals that he hunted were placed up there near him except Scorpius who ended up on the opposite side of the sky so Orion would never be hurt by him again. This story may seem like some imagined tale told to children, but in fact was handed down to the bravest of men. For within this tale lies a secret truth more real than you know.... Because of its position in the sky, Orion can be seen by both the northern and southern hemispheres, making it a useful as an aid to locate other stars.Sirius can be found by extending the line of the Belt southeastward. Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky with a visual apparent magnitude of −1.46. Aldebaran can be found by extending the line of the Belt northwestward. It is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus.The direction of Procyon can be seen as a line eastward across the two shoulders. It is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor. Although it looks like a single star it is actually a binary star. Betelgeuse points to Castor and Pollux through a line from Rigel. Betelgeuse is a variable star and a red super giant. Castor and Pollux are the heads of the twins of the constellation Gemini. Sirius and Procyon can be located from Orion by tracing lines. These two stars are part of the Winter Triangle, the other star is Betelgeuse. Betelgeuse is a giant red star located on Orions right shoulder. The star is larger than the orbit of Mars and is the second brightest star in Orion. Rigel is located at the constellations left knee, and is a large blue supergiant star. It is one of the brightest stars in the sky and the brightest star in Orion. Bellatrix or warrior woman, is located at Orions left shoulder. Mintaka one of the three stars that make up Orions belt is the left-most star. Alnilam the middle of three stars that make up Orions belt. Alnitak the third and right-most of three stars that make up Orions Belt. Saiph is located is at Orions right knee. And Hatsya is at the tip of Orions sword. Thought you all night like to know. Might come in handy some day.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 08:25:47 +0000
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