Tonight look for Orion the Hunter, the gem of all constellations, to rise above your eastern horizon around mid-evening (8 to 9 p.m.). Afterwards, it parades westward across the sky throughout the night. Orion transits (reaches his highest elevation above the horizon) about one hour after local midnight. At early dawn, the giant figurine is plunging beneath your western horizon.
The sky chart shows Orion’s position for around mid evening, and as seen from mid-northern latitudes. Throughout December, the Mighty Hunter lords over your southern sky around midnight, standing tall and proud. This is in stark contrast to his appearance at mid-evening, when Orion first rises above the eastern horizon. He then assumes a reclining position.
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Since this glorious constellation is so easy to identify, Orion serves as a signpost to many stellar treasures. For instance, Orion’s Belt of three sparkling blue-white stars points out the ruddy star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus the Bull. Going in the opposite direction, Orion’s Belt points to Sirius, the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
Orion’s evening presence will be somewhat subdued by tonight’s waxing gibbous moon. Even so, you may be able to make out Orion’s Belt and Orion’s two brightest stars, Betelgeuse and Rigel, despite the moonlit glare. If you are an early riser, you’ll see mighty Orion in all his starlit majesty in the southwest to west sky in a moon-free sky before dawn.
Bottom line: Orion’s Belt of three sparkling blue-white stars points out the ruddy star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus the Bull. Going in the opposite direction, Orion’s Belt points to Sirius, the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1AeG11x
Tonight look for Orion the Hunter, the gem of all constellations, to rise above your eastern horizon around mid-evening (8 to 9 p.m.). Afterwards, it parades westward across the sky throughout the night. Orion transits (reaches his highest elevation above the horizon) about one hour after local midnight. At early dawn, the giant figurine is plunging beneath your western horizon.
The sky chart shows Orion’s position for around mid evening, and as seen from mid-northern latitudes. Throughout December, the Mighty Hunter lords over your southern sky around midnight, standing tall and proud. This is in stark contrast to his appearance at mid-evening, when Orion first rises above the eastern horizon. He then assumes a reclining position.
Donate: Your support means the world to us
Since this glorious constellation is so easy to identify, Orion serves as a signpost to many stellar treasures. For instance, Orion’s Belt of three sparkling blue-white stars points out the ruddy star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus the Bull. Going in the opposite direction, Orion’s Belt points to Sirius, the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
Orion’s evening presence will be somewhat subdued by tonight’s waxing gibbous moon. Even so, you may be able to make out Orion’s Belt and Orion’s two brightest stars, Betelgeuse and Rigel, despite the moonlit glare. If you are an early riser, you’ll see mighty Orion in all his starlit majesty in the southwest to west sky in a moon-free sky before dawn.
Bottom line: Orion’s Belt of three sparkling blue-white stars points out the ruddy star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus the Bull. Going in the opposite direction, Orion’s Belt points to Sirius, the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1AeG11x
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