The Orion Constellation

Orion is one of the easiest constellations to find. It is named after a hunter from Greek myths. You can see it clearly in winter. Orion has three bright stars in a row that form his belt. Around the belt are more stars that make his body.

Orion's Belt

Orion's Belt is the most famous part of the constellation. The three stars are called Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. They line up in a nearly straight row. People have noticed this pattern for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians thought it matched the pyramids.

A deep view of the night sky showing the stars of Orion.
A deep view of the night sky showing the stars of Orion. (Mouser / Wikimedia Commons)

Bright Stars of Orion

Orion has two super bright stars. Betelgeuse is a red giant at his shoulder. Rigel is a blue giant at his foot. Below the belt is the Orion Nebula, a cloud where new stars are born. You can see the nebula with just binoculars.

Fun Facts

  • Betelgeuse could explode as a supernova someday.
  • Orion is visible from both the northern and southern halves of Earth.
  • The hunter is shown holding a club and a shield.

Did You Know?

Many cultures see Orion differently, such as a plow, a canoe, or a giant.