Alnitak
Also known as ζ Ori · HR 1948
Alnitak is a spectroscopic binary star in the constellation Orion, about 970 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Spectroscopic binary star (spectral type O9.2IbvarNwk) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Orion |
| Position (J2000) | 5h 40m 45s, −1° 56′ |
| Distance | 970 light-years (its light set off about 970 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 1.9 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 681 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Alnitak is highest in the sky at midnight in December. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 68° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 38°. To see it you need the naked eye, even from a town.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Orion
- Barnard's Loop
- De Mairan's Nebula (M43)
- Flame Nebula
- Horsehead Nebula
- M78 (NGC 2068)
- Monkey Head Nebula
- Orion Nebula (M42)
- TXS 0506+056
Everything in Orion · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits