Orion (constellation)
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Orion is a constellation which is visible from most parts of the world. As well as being one of the 88 modern constellations, it was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. It is named for a hunter in Greek mythology.
The constellation of Orion, as it can be seen by the naked eye. Lines have been drawn.
Orion as depicted in Urania's Mirror, a set of star chart cards published in London c. 1825
This view brings out many fainter features, such as Barnard's Loop.
Rigel
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Rigel is a blue supergiant star in the constellation of Orion. It has the Bayer designation β Orionis, which is Latinized to Beta Orionis and abbreviated Beta Ori or β Ori. Rigel is the brightest and most massive component – and the eponym – of a star system of at least four stars that appear as a single blue-white point of light to the naked eye. This system is located at a distance of approximately 860 light-years (260 pc) from the Sun.
Rigel A and Rigel B as they appear in a small telescope
Rigel and reflection nebula IC 2118 in Eridanus. Rigel B is not visible in the glare of the main star.
Orion illustrated in a copy of Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi's Book of Fixed Stars. The foot on the left is annotated rijl al-jauza al-yusra, the Arabic name from which Rigel is derived.