What is the constellation Orion?
Orion or The Hunter (Orion) is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator, and is therefore visible from anywhere in the world. It is one of the largest and brightest constellations, and one of the most easily recognized. The name refers to Orion, a hunter from Greek mythology. Orion is next to the Eridanus River with the two hunting dogs: the Greater Dog and the Lesser Dog, fighting with Taurus, the Bull. Others taken, such as Lepus the Hare, are also nearby.
Main stars Orion
The constellation is extremely rich in bright stars and deep space objects.
These are some of its stars:
Heka is the head of Orion
Betelgeuse (α), on the right shoulder, is a red star, larger than the orbit of the planet Venus. The title of star – α was mistakenly given; it should have been given to Rigel, which is somewhat brighter.
Bellatrix (γ)
Bellatrix (γ), «female warrior» is on Orion’s left shoulder.
Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka (ζ, ε and δ) form the asterism known as Orion’s belt: three bright stars in a line by which you can recognize Orion, popularly known in Mallorca as The Three Marys.
Saiph is the right knee of Orion
Rigel (β), in the left knee of the constellation, is a large white star, one of the brightest in the sky. He has three companions, difficult to see.
Orion’s main stars are all very similar in age and physical characteristics, indicating that they could have a common origin. Betelgeuse is an exception, anyway.
Orion is very useful for finding other stars. Extending the Belt line to the southwest, one can find Sirius (α Canis Majoris); to the northeast, Aldebaran, α Tauri. The line directed eastward by the two shoulders indicates the direction of Procyon, α Canis Minoris. A line from Rigel to Betelgeuse indicates Castor and Pollux, α and β of Geminorum.
Orion Deep Sky Objects
Hanging from Orion’s belt is his sword, which consists of the multiple stars θ1 and θ2 Orionis, called Trapezium, and the nearby Orion Nebula (M42). It is a spectacular object that with the naked eye can already be seen that it is not a star; With binoculars, clouds of luminous gas, young stars and dust can be observed.
Another famous nebula is IC 434, the Horsehead, near ζ Orionis. It contains a dark dust cloud whose shape gives the nebula its name.
In addition to these nebulae, observing Orion with a small telescope will reveal a treasure trove of interesting deep space objects.
Mythology of the constellation Orion
It is normal for such a prominent constellation to have more than one version in Greek mythology. In one version, Orion claims to be the greatest hunter in the world. This is felt by Hera, the wife of Zeus, and she decides to send a scorpion after Orion. Orion is stung to death by the scorpion. Zeus felt bad and put Orion in the sky. The scorpion was also placed in the sky, becoming the constellation Scorpius. It is interesting that when one of the two constellations rises over the horizon, the other has already set. Thus the rivals cannot see each other.
The name of the constellation in this case may precede mythology. It has been suggested that Orion comes from the Akkadian Uru – anna, the light of the sky, the name later passing into Greek mythology.
The constellation is mentioned in the Odes of Horace, in the Odyssey and Iliad of Homer, and the Aeneid of Virgil.