Star profile

Bellatrix

Gamma Orionis · Orion

Hot blue star

3D likeness based on its real data · class B · ~15,000 K

What is Bellatrix

Bellatrix, «the female warrior», marks the left shoulder of Orion with a fierce blue heat, 252 light-years from the Earth. Its Latin name travelled through the Renaissance linked to amazons and women of arms; in modern astronomy it remains one of the few stars carrying a traditional feminine name, which gives it a recognisable identity even for those who do not know the sky well. The light now crossing European winter nights left the star when Galileo first turned his telescope toward this very constellation.

Where it is and when to see it

Bellatrix lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is December, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 45° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 56° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 50° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 84° S.

It ranks no. 3 in brightness among the 128 stars of Orion in our catalogue. To find it, start from Rigel, the brightest: it lies about 15° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 250 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Bellatrix

Constellation: Orion
Apparent magnitude: 1.64
Distance: 252.5 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 81.283° · Dec 6.350°
Catalogue: HIP 25336 · HD 35468

A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.

Other stars in Orion

Orion has 128 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 128 stars in Orion