Everything about Zeta Orionis totally explained
Zeta Orionis (ζ Ori), traditionally known as
Alnitak (
Arabic: النطاق
an-niṭāq), is a
triple star some 800 light years distant in the
constellation Orion. Together with
Delta Orionis (Mintaka) and
Epsilon Orionis (Alnilam), the three stars make up the belt of Orion, known by many names across many ancient cultures.
Zeta Orionis (ζ Ori) is the left-most star.
The primary star is a hot
blue supergiant with an absolute magnitude of -5.25, and is the brightest
class O star in the night sky with a visual magnitude of 1.70. It has two bluish 4th magnitude companions. The stars are members of the The Orion OB1 Association.
Observation history
Alnitak has been known since antiquity and, as a component of
Orion's belt, has been of widespread cultural significance. It was discovered to be a double star by amateur German astronomer
George K. Kunowsky in 1819. It is the brightest star of
class O in the night sky. Alnitak B is a 4th magnitude B-type star which orbits Alnitak A every 1500 years. The third star, Alnitak Ab, was only discovered in 1998. It is a 4th magnitude O-type star.
The Alnitak system is bathed in the nebulosity of
IC 434.
Etymology and cultural significance
The traditional name Alnitak, alternately spelled Al Nitak or Alnitah, the name is taken from the
Arabic النطاق
an-nitaq, "the girdle".
Orion's belt
The three belt stars were collectively known by many names in many cultures. Arabic terms include النجاد
Al Nijād 'the Belt', النسك
Al Nasak 'the Line', العلقات
Al Alkāt 'the Golden Grains or Nuts' and, in modern Arabic, ميزان الحق
Al Mīzān al H•akk 'the Accurate Scale Beam'. In
Chinese mythology they were also known as The Weighing Beam.. Similarly Jacob's Staff and Peter's Staff were European
biblical derived terms, as were the Three Magi, or the Three Kings.
Väinämöinen's Scythe (
Kalevala) and Kalevan Sword are terms from
Finnish mythology.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Zeta Orionis'.
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