SkyRef / Constellations

The Orion constellation

Best placed in September. It straddles the celestial equator, so it is visible from essentially anywhere on Earth at the right time of year.

Where and when

Best monthSeptember
Right ascension5.6h
Declination+13°
Line segments4

Finding it

Orion is centred near right ascension 5.6 hours, declination +13°. It straddles the celestial equator, so it is visible from essentially anywhere on Earth at the right time of year.

It reaches its highest point in the sky around local midnight in September, which is when it is easiest to pick out. Earlier in the year it rises before dawn; later, it is already setting in the evening.

Bright stars in this part of the sky

StarMagnitudeCatalogue
Betelgeuse0.50HR 2061
Aldebaran0.85HR 1457
Elnath1.65HR 1791
Alnilam1.70HR 1903
Alnitak2.05HR 1948
Mintaka2.23HR 1852

See it on the live map

SkyRef draws Orion in its real position for wherever you are, right now, along with the other 88 IAU figures.

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Other constellations

AndromedaAntliaApusAquariusAquilaAraAriesAurigaBoötesCaelumCamelopardalisCancerCanes VenaticiCanis MajorCanis MinorCapricornusCarinaCassiopeiaCentaurusCepheusCetusChamaeleonCircinusColumbaComa BerenicesCorona AustrinaCorona BorealisCorvusCraterCruxCygnusDelphinusDoradoDracoEquuleusEridanusFornaxGeminiGrusHercules