Quick star question.

NoQuarter

Ok this has plauged me for years! From around Jan - March every year there are 3 bright stars that seem to form an almost perfect straight line. At the moment, from dublin, they are high in the sky to the east, does anyone know what stars they are?

Thanks.

djhaxman

That sounds like Orion's belt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(constellation)

http://www.skyfactory.org/orionbelt/orionbelt_int.htm

It's one of the most recognisable constellations, and with a small telescope there's quite a lot to see.

Kevster

lol... ...my favourite constellation. i love the names of the stars around it too, Betelguese, Bellatrix, Rigel, and Saiph. Aldebaran is'nt too 'far' away either; and the brightest star in our skies is not too far away from Orion either: Sirius. To see Sirius, look 'left' and 'down' a bit from Orion.

poppyvalley

vega, sirius & polaris

djhaxman

poppyvalley wrote: »

vega, sirius & polaris

Eh?

rccaulfield

djhaxman wrote: »

Eh?

Thats the name of the 3 stars in the belt iinm?

djhaxman

rccaulfield wrote: »

Thats the name of the 3 stars in the belt iinm?

No, the 3 stars in Orions belt are Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka.

http://www.gb.nrao.edu/~rmaddale/Education/OrionTourCenter/belt.html

Polaris is the north star and never comes near Orion.

NoQuarter

poppyvalley wrote: »

vega, sirius & polaris

Yeah dont think so, the 3 stars are in close proximity to each other, also polaris being the north star wouldnt be seen to the east would it?