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Astronomy/Star to East of Orion's Belt

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Expert: - 10/29/2008


Question
I know virtually nothing about astronomy.  There is a bright star to the East of Orion's belt.  I'm curious if it has a name or is part of something larger.  If the south were 12:00, this would be 11:55(ish)?  Please advise.

Answer
Hi Winifred,
Yes, in fact all stars have a name and are part of something
larger, called a constellation.  If not a formal name, then their
position on the celestial sphere in Right Ascension and Declination
(latitude and longitude equivalents)...become their name.  So
never buy a star name, it's all immoral and fraudulent. Besides,
only the IAU (International Astronomical Union) has the final
authority to name anything, or change things....like correctly downgrading Pluto to asteroid status.

Ok, the 3 belt stars of Orion points right down eastward to the brightest real star in the night sky, which has 3 names, The Dog Star, Sirius, or Alpha Canis Majoris, and it is the also the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, the greater dog.

It's magnitude is -1.5 and it's relatively close to us, one of our
neighbors at only 8.6 lightyears distant. It's colour is blue-
white, so it's very hot compared to our own sun.
We call it the brightest real star in the night sky because there are a couple of planets that are even brighter, namely Venus and Jupiter, but they are currently in the western evening sky right now, and not anywhere near Orion.
Hope this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA  

Astronomy

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Tom Whiting

Expertise

Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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