Constellations

The Deep Photographic Guide to the
Constellations

The constellation of the month
JANUARY

Orion

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Names:

Latin: Orion (Ori)
English: Hunter Spanish: Orión
German: Orion French: Orion
For most observers Orion is the most impressive constellation of the sky, no doubt. With its large number of bright stars and the distinct group given by the three belt stars it is easy to find in the winter sky (see lines). In mid-january Orion culminates at about 22 h local time. Observers located at the terrestrial equator can see the constellation marching through the zenith; the belt stars are at a declination of about 0 degrees. Orion's position is also close to the galactic equator, you already can see dense star fields in the upper left corner.
Orion offers a wealth of interesting and famous objects like the great Orion Nebula M 42/43 and the Horsehead Nebula (at IC 434). The brightest star is Rigel (Beta Orionis), visible in the lower right. Against the convention, that greek letters are given in order of intensity, the second bright star Beteigeuze is named Alpha Orionis (Orions left 'shoulder').

© all photographs taken by Till Credner and Sven Kohle