Orion
Discover amazing facts about Orion, the most recognizable constellation with its famous belt and home to spectacular stars and nebulae
Orion the Hunter dominates winter skies with his distinctive belt of three stars and bright shoulders
Orion the Hunter is the most spectacular and easily recognizable constellation in the entire sky! This magnificent star pattern dominates winter evenings and can be seen from everywhere on Earth. Orion looks like a giant person standing in the sky, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist marked by three bright stars in a row (Orion's Belt), and what appears to be a sword hanging from the belt. The constellation is filled with bright, colorful stars and amazing deep-space objects that make it a favorite target for both beginning and expert stargazers.
Orion's most famous feature is definitely the three stars that make up his belt - Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. These three bright blue stars are lined up almost perfectly and are super easy to spot, making them great for finding the rest of the constellation. Orion also contains some of the most famous stars in the sky, including red supergiant Betelgeuse (his right shoulder) and brilliant blue Rigel (his left foot). Hanging from Orion's belt is his "sword," which contains the beautiful Orion Nebula - a stellar nursery where new baby stars are being born!
