Mintaka
Delta Ori (BS1852)
Object Data
- Catalog Designation
- HIP 25930; Delta Ori; 34 Ori
- Type
- VariableStar
- Constellation
- Ori
- Magnitude
- 2.23
- Right Ascension
- 05h 32m 00.4s
- Declination
- -00° 17' 57.0"
- Distance
- 1,080 light-years
- HR
- 1852
- HIP
- 25930
- Bayer
- Delta
Survey Image
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About Mintaka
Description
Mintaka is the westernmost star of Orion's Belt at magnitude 2.23, a blue giant of spectral type O9.5II located about 1,200 light-years from Earth. It is actually a complex multiple star system with at least five components. Mintaka is a slightly variable eclipsing binary, with brightness variations of about 0.2 magnitude over a period of 5.73 days.
Observing Tips
Mintaka is the right (western) star of Orion's Belt. It lies almost exactly on the celestial equator, making it visible from virtually every inhabited location on Earth. A small telescope reveals a fainter companion about 53 arcseconds away. Best observed December through March.
History
The name Mintaka comes from the Arabic 'mintaqa,' meaning 'the belt.' Because it sits almost on the celestial equator (within 0.3°), Mintaka rises almost exactly due east and sets almost exactly due west from any location, making it useful for orientation since ancient times.
Fun Facts
Mintaka's position on the celestial equator means it is the most useful star for determining due east and due west — wherever you are on Earth, Mintaka rises and sets within a fraction of a degree of true east and west.