Orion is one of the iconic and well-known constellations in the night sky. Holding multiple deep sky objects including the famous M42, the Orion Nebula. Orion is named after the Greek hunter in Mythology.
The Babylonian star catalogues named this constellation SIPA.ZI.AN.NA ‘The heavenly Shepherd’ or ‘True Shepherd of Anu’ (Rogers 1998). The Constellation is sacred to Ninshubur and Papshukal both of which are minor gods with the role of ‘messenger of the gods’ In ancient Egypt, the stars were regarded as a god, called Sah. Sah was linked with Sopdet, the goddess who personified Sirus and based on the Egyptian solar calendar. The Bible mentions Orion only three times, naming it ‘Kesil’ (meaning fool) which is possibly connected with ‘Kislev’ about the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar derives the name as ‘kesel, kisla’ (hope or positiveness) Orion was one of the 28 lunar mansions Sieu in China. Also known as Shen (Three) after Orion's belt and the three stars. (Dàzìdiǎn 1992) In India, the Rigveda refer to Orion as Mriga or the Deer (Holay 1998). A cosmic dancer known as Nataraja is often interpreted as the representation of Orion. Rudra the form of Shiva is the deity of Ardra Nakshatra (common day Betelgeuse). Carvings of the Jain symbol were found in Khandagiri Caves from the 1st century has a striking resemblance with Orion. Naming Orion’s belt s ‘sign of three’ tanra tellue (Kelley et al,. 2011) Greek Mythology portrays Orion as a Gigantic, supernaturally strong hunter, son of Poseidon, god of the sea. The recount of Orion’s rage who portrayed that Orion would kill every animal on Earth and tried to dispatch Orion with a scorpion, giving the season Orion and Scorpius are never in the sky at the same time.
Orion was revived by Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer, who gave him an antidote. This is the reason the constellation of Ophiuchus stands midway between Orion and Scorpius in the night sky (Staal 1988) |
Orion is visible Throughout the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere and is the 26th in rank for size, it’s hard to miss this constellation. In summer periods the constellation is in the sky during the daytime and not visible in the Northern Hemisphere unless you are under 8 degrees from the equator where the sun doesn’t rise until around midday. Orion Borders the following constellations
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The movement of Orion from 50000BC to 50000AD
Death of a star
Betelgeuse, the tenth brightest star in our night sky, well should be, but it’s nearing the ending of its life meaning that the star is oscillating as it compresses in itself and the gravitation forces drive to stop it. Causing the magnitude to swing back and forward. It's estimated Betelgeuse will end its life within a million years. |
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