It's driving us mad, because we can't find it in star charts on the internet! Can any budding astronomers help? Thanks!
2006-12-21 07:22:57 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No, what I meant was not Betelgeuse, but a star a short distance away, roughly in a line with Orion's shoulders (or armpits!).
It's to the left of Orion, if you imagine him facing away from you. But I think I've found the name to it now--Google worked in the end--I'm pretty sure it's Procyon.
Thanks for all the answers!
2006-12-22 02:38:26 · update #1
red owl
2006-12-21 07:25:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I believe that is actually the left armpit of Orion and the name is Betelgeuse (aka: Alpha Orion, Betelguex; Betelgeuze; Beteiguex; Al Mankib), a red supergiant. You can see it on star charts here:
http://www.northern-stars.com/Winter_Star_Chart.htm and http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=sirius_procyon_map_030715_02.jpg
A picture of Betelgeuse from the Hubble Space Telescope
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap980419.html
2006-12-21 15:45:59 · answer #2 · answered by Seikilos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bright reddish star at left as you face Orion (it might be Orion's *right* depending on whether you imagine him facing you or acing away) is alpha-Orionis, or Betelgeuse.
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/constellations/Orion.html
Betelgeuse is famous for its red glow.
2006-12-21 15:33:32 · answer #3 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is Betelgeuse, which interestingly enough translates to the mighty one's armpit.
2006-12-21 22:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by prittykitty22389 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His left shoulder is Betelgeuse, which is a red star. Could this possibly be what you are seeing, or are you positive that it is another star?
2006-12-21 15:28:44 · answer #5 · answered by computerguy103 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Er.....betelgeuse (sp?) is a reddish star that I believe is one of his shoulders. Other than that can't help ya.
2006-12-21 15:26:27 · answer #6 · answered by John S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Betelguese (pronounced bettlejuice) he he
Sounds funny but its true
2006-12-21 15:29:02 · answer #7 · answered by SPORTS GUY 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋