Alnitak
HIP 26727; Zeta Ori; 50 Ori
Objektdaten
- Katalogbezeichnung
- HIP 26727; Zeta Ori; 50 Ori
- Typ
- DoubleStar
- Sternbild
- Ori
- Helligkeit
- 2.05
- Rektaszension
- 05h 40m 45.5s
- Deklination
- -01° 56' 34.0"
- Entfernung
- 136 Lichtjahre
- HR
- 1948
- HIP
- 26727
- Bayer
- Zeta
Durchmusterungsbild
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Über Alnitak
Beschreibung
Alnitak is the easternmost star des Sternbilds Orion's Belt at magnitude 2.05, a hot blue supergiant of Spektraltyp O9.7Ib. Located about 1,200 Lichtjahre von der Erde entfernt, it has a luminosity of roughly 250,000 times solar — one of the most luminous stars in the Orion region. Alnitak is a triple star system; the close companion is resolvable in mittelgroßes Teleskops.
Beobachtungstipps
Alnitak is the left (eastern) star des Sternbilds Orion's Belt. Just south of Alnitak lies the famous Horsehead Nebula (B33) and the bright Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) — both illuminated by Alnitak's intense radiation. The Belt stars are among the easiest patterns to identify in the entire sky. Best observed Dezember through März.
Geschichte
The name Alnitak stammt aus dem Arabischen 'al-nitaq,' meaning 'the girdle' or 'the belt.' Together with Alnilam and Mintaka, the three Belt stars have been recognized and named across virtually every culture. They were 'the Three Kings,' 'the Three Marys,' and 'the String of Pearls' in various traditions.
Wissenswertes
Alnitak is responsible for illuminating the Flame Nebula and creating the silhouette of the famous Horsehead Nebula, one of the most photographed objects in the sky. The star is so energetic that its ultraviolet light ionizes the gas clouds over a Lichtjahr away.