Orion, the Hunter (Ori)

(oh-RYE-un)

The Northern constellation of Orion, the Hunter, is best viewed in Winter during the month of January. It's brightest star is Rigel at magnitude 0.12. The boundary of the Orion constellation contains 12 stars that host known exoplanets.

1. Pronunciation:
2. oh-RYE-un

1. Meaning:
2. Hunter

1. Genitive:
2. Orionis

1. Abbreviation:
2. Ori

1. Asterism:
2. Belt of Orion

1. Constellation Family:
2. Orion

1. Hemisphere:
2. Northern

1. Quadrant:
2. NQ1

1. Best viewing month*:
2. January

1. Right Ascension (avg):
2. 5h 34m

1. Declination (avg):
2. 3° 35'

1. Brightest star:
2. Rigel (0.12)

1. Stars with planets:
2. 12

1. X-ray stars:
2. 2 (binary) stars

1. Caldwell catalog objects:
2. |

Brightest Stars in Orion

The 10 brightest stars in the constellation Orion by magnitude.

1. Star
2. Magnitude
3. Spectral class

1. Beta Orionis (β Ori)
2. 0.18
3. B8Ia + B9V + B9V

1. Alpha Orionis (α Ori)
2. 0.42
3. M2Ib

1. Gamma Orionis (γ Ori)
2. 1.64
3. B2III

1. Epsilon Orionis (ε Ori)
2. 1.69
3. B0Ia

1. Zeta Orionis (ζ Ori)
2. 1.88
3. O9.7Ib

1. Kappa Orionis (κ Ori)
2. 2.07
3. B0.5Ia

1. Delta Orionis (δ Ori)
2. 2.2
3. B0III+O9V

1. Iota Orionis (ι Ori)
2. 2.75
3. O9III

1. Pi Orionis (π³ Ori)
2. 3.19
3. F6V

1. Eta Orionis (η Ori)
2. 3.35
3. B1V + B2

Double Stars in Orion

These are the brightest and easiest-to-find double, triple, and quadruple star systems in the constellation Orion. Also see all star clusters.

1. Star system
2. Magnitudes
3. Type

1. Beta Orionis
2. 0.3, 6.8
3. double

1. Delta Orionis
2. 2.4, 6.8
3. double

1. Struve 747
2. 4.7, 5.5
3. double

1. Lamda Orionis
2. 3.5, 5.5
3. double

1. Theta 1 Orionis
2. 6.6, 7.5, 5.1, 6.4
3. quadruple

1. Iota Orionis
2. 2.8, 7.7
3. double

1. Theta 2 Orionis
2. 5.0, 6.2
3. double

1. Sigma Orionis
2. 3.8, 6.6, 3.8, 6.4
3. quadruple

1. Zeta Orionis
2. 1.9, 3.7, 9.6
3. double

Star Clusters in Orion

The most notable and easy-to-find star clusters in the constellation Orion . Also see all star clusters.

1. Star cluster
2. Catalog #
3. Cluster type

1. NGC 2169
3. open

1. NGC 2175
3. open

Nebulae in Orion

Notable and easy-to-find nebulae in the constellation Orion . Also see all nebulae.

Orion Clouds

Showing the Orion Molecular Cloud complex, including Barnard's Loop and the Lambda Orionis Ring.

Orion Molecular Cloud Complex

Orion Sword Detail

Showing the famous nebulae located in Orion's Sword, including the Orion Nebula, De Mairan's Nebula, Witch's Head Nebula, Flame Nebula, and the Horsehead Nebula.

Orion's Sword

1. Nebula name
2. Catalog #
3. Nebula type

1. Barnard 30
3. dark

1. Barnard's Loop
3. emission

1. De Mairans Nebula
2. M43
3. emission

1. Flame Nebula
3. emission

1. Flaming Tree Nebula
3. dark

1. Horsehead Nebula
3. dark

1. Kleinmann-Low Nebula
3. diffuse

1. Lower's Nebula
3. emission

1. McNeil's Nebula
3. reflection

1. Messier 78
3. reflection

1. Monkey Head Nebula
3. emission

1. Orion Complex
3. emission

1. Orion Nebula
2. M42
3. diffuse

1. Running Man Nebula
3. reflection

* Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).