Mintaka
star · Orion · 2.3ᵐ
Blue star in Orion.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Mintaka around the year 1333.
About 32 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Mintaka in?
Mintaka lies in Orion.
Is Mintaka visible to the naked eye?
2.3ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Mintaka?
Best observed in December.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 5h 32m · −0° 18′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Orion
- How to observe
- 2.3ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- O9.5II — blue star
- Absolute magnitude
- -4.4ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈4,831 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~693 light years
- Designation
- HIP 25930
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° | 30° | 91° |
| +55° | 35° | 91° |
| +45° | 45° | 90° |
| +30° | 60° | 90° |
| 0° | 90° | 90° |
| −35° | 55° | 90° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 21:46 |
| February | 19:39 |
| March | 17:54 |
| April | 16:01 |
| May | 14:06 |
| June | 12:00 |
| July | 09:56 |
| August | 07:55 |
| September | 06:02 |
| October | 04:13 |
| November | 02:13 |
| December | 00:04 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.