Are you looking for fascinating facts about the Sigma Constellation? Do you want to know more about the mythology and stories associated with this group of stars?
The Sigma Constellation is a small but significant constellation that astronomers have studied for centuries.
When you look up at the night sky, you can find Sigma near the bright star Sirius, and it is easy to spot because of its distinctive shape.
This article will share some fascinating facts about the Sigma Constellation, including its mythological significance, location, and the stars that make up the constellation.
Sigma Constellation Facts, Myth, Location, and Stars
Where is The Sigma Constellation Located?
The Sigma Constellation is located in the southern sky and can be seen from Earth between the latitudes +90° and -60°.
Orion borders the constellation to the west, Lepus to the south, and Canis Major to the east. Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, is located in Canis Major’s constellation.
When you look at the Sigma Constellation, you will notice that it is shaped like a triangle, and the three brightest stars in the constellation form a perfect equilateral triangle.
Sigma is also called Sigma Orionis, and it was first cataloged by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1752, and its location can be quite easily found in the night sky.
What are the Stars in The Sigma Constellation?
The Sigma Constellation is made up of not exceptionally bright or large stars. Knowing the different stars in a constellation can help you find them in the night sky.
Let’s look at some of the stars that make up the Sigma Constellation.
Rigel
Rigel is the brightest star in the constellation and the seventh-brightest star in the night sky.
It is a blue supergiant star about 24 times the size of our Sun and located about 860 light-years away from Earth.
The star system has an estimated age of about seven to nine million years old and is thought to be nearing the end of its life.
Rigel is a scorching star with around 12,000 degrees Fahrenheit surface temperature.
Betelgeuse
Betelgeuse is the second-brightest star in the constellation, and it is also the ninth-brightest star in the night sky.
It is a red supergiant star that is about 20 times the size of our Sun and is located about 600 light-years away from Earth.
The star system has an estimated age of around 10 million years old and is a runaway star that is moving away from its birth cluster at a speed of about 30 kilometers per second.
Betelgeuse is nearing its end and is expected to have a supernova explosion in the next 100,000 years.
Bellatrix
Bellatrix is the third brightest star in the constellation and the 26th-brightest star in the night sky.
It is a blue giant star about seven times the size of our Sun and is located approximately 244 light-years away from Earth.
Bellatrix is a young star with an estimated age of around 25 million years old.
The star is considered part of a binary system, and the two stars orbit each other every 400 years.
When the stars are at their closest, they can be seen with the naked eye.
Alnilam
This is the fourth-brightest star in the constellation, and it is also one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
It is a blue supergiant star that is about 20 times the size of our Sun and located about 2000 light-years away from Earth.
Alnilam is a very young star with an estimated age of around five million years old.
The star is thought to be part of a binary system, and the two stars orbit each other every four million years.
At its closest, the two stars are about 2.5 light-years apart from each other.
Alnitak
Alnitak is the fifth brightest star in the constellation and is about 1,500 light-years away from Earth.
It is a blue supergiant star that is about 20 times the size of our Sun, and it is part of a triple star system.
The three stars orbit each other every 100,000 years, and at their closest, they are about 15 light-years apart from each other.
Alnitak is the brightest star in the Orion’s Belt and is also one of the most studied stars by astronomers.
How and When Was The Sigma Constellation Discovered?
The Sigma Constellation was first cataloged by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1752.
The constellation is quite easy to find in the night sky, and it is one of the 88 constellations that are recognized by the International Astronomical Union.
Nicolas Louis de Lacaille named the constellation after the letter Sigma because of its shape.
The Sigma Constellation is located in the southern sky, and it can be seen best in the month of January.
Sigma Constellation Mythology
There is no specific mythology behind the Sigma Constellation.
However, the constellation is often associated with the story of Orion.
In Greek mythology, Orion was a giant hunter who was killed by a scorpion. The constellation of Scorpius is located next to Orion in the night sky.
There are also three stars in Orion’s Belt, and these stars are often used to help find the Sigma Constellation.
The ancient Egyptians also associated Orion with their god, Osiris, and the three stars in Orion’s Belt were thought to be the belt of Osiris.
Sigma Constellation Location
The Sigma Constellation is a famous constellation located in the southern sky and is easy to find.
The constellation is located next to the constellations of Orion, Taurus, and Lepus.
Astronomers often use Orion’s Belt to help find the Sigma Constellation and enjoy using this constellation for stargazing.
When looking for the constellation in the night sky, look for a cluster of stars that form a Y-shape.
Studying the stars in the Sigma Constellation can be a fun and rewarding experience for amateur astronomers and stargazers.
Learning more about the myth, location, and stars in the Sigma Constellation can help you better enjoy the constellation.
