Alnitak
star · Orion · 1.7ᵐ
Blue star in Orion.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Alnitak around the year 1290.
About 51 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Alnitak in?
Alnitak lies in Orion.
Is Alnitak visible to the naked eye?
1.7ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Alnitak?
Best observed in December.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 5h 41m · −1° 57′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Orion
- How to observe
- 1.7ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- O9.5Ib SB — blue star
- Absolute magnitude
- -5.0ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈8,790 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~736 light years
- Designation
- HIP 26727
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 28° | 94° |
| +55° | 33° | 93° |
| +45° | 43° | 93° |
| +30° | 58° | 92° |
| 0° | 88° | 92° |
| −35° | 57° | 92° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 21:55 |
| February | 19:48 |
| March | 18:03 |
| April | 16:09 |
| May | 14:15 |
| June | 12:09 |
| July | 10:05 |
| August | 08:04 |
| September | 06:11 |
| October | 04:22 |
| November | 02:21 |
| December | 00:13 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.