Mythology
The Fallen Hunter
Orion, the mighty hunter of Greek mythology, stood tall among mortals and heroes alike—known for his towering strength, legendary skill, and striking beauty. His name echoed across lands as a fearless tracker and a loyal companion to Artemis, the revered goddess of the hunt.
Their bond was close—perhaps too close for the liking of others. Some tales claim that Orion’s growing pride led him to boast he could destroy every creature on Earth. Gaia, the Earth goddess and protector of nature, could not allow such arrogance and sent a giant scorpion to stop him. In a fierce battle beneath the stars, Orion was struck down.
But others tell a different tale—one of jealousy and trickery. Apollo, twin brother of Artemis, feared Orion’s affection for his sister. To protect her—or perhaps his own pride—he challenged Artemis to prove her skill by shooting a distant target in the sea. She struck true, only to discover she had unknowingly killed Orion.
Stricken with grief, Artemis pleaded for him to be honored in the heavens. Moved by her sorrow, Zeus placed Orion among the stars, his bow forever drawn, locked in the eternal hunt. He now chases the Seven Sisters—the Pleiades—across the night sky, while the scorpion that ended his life rises just as he sets, so the two may never meet again.
Celestial Facts
The Night’s Most Recognized Constellation
Orion is best seen during winter (December–February) in the Northern Hemisphere.
His three-star belt—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka—is one of the easiest patterns to identify in the night sky.
Home to the famous Orion Nebula (M42)—a dazzling stellar nursery filled with young stars.
Orion’s left shoulder is marked by Betelgeuse, a massive red supergiant expected to go supernova in the (very) distant future.
His right foot is marked by Rigel, a luminous blue-white star and one of the brightest in the night sky.
Tips!
If you can’t see all of Orion at once, start with his belt—then trace the surrounding stars to build his shape. Follow the stars upward to find his raised arm and club, and downward to see his sword hanging from the belt, often visible as a faint, misty glow (home to the Orion Nebula!).
- Draw a line through Orion’s Belt downward (southeast), and you’ll find Sirius—the brightest star in the night sky, part of the Canis Major constellation, Orion’s loyal hunting dog.
- Trace the Belt upward to spot Aldebaran, the fiery red eye of Taurus, and nearby you’ll find the Pleiades cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters.