Orion Arising
Explanation:
Orion's belt runs just along the horizon, seen
through Earth's atmosphere and rising in
this
starry snapshot from low Earth orbit
on board the
International Space Station.
The belt stars,
Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka
run right to left
and Orion's sword,
home to the great Orion Nebula, hangs above his belt,
an orientation unfamiliar to
denizens of the planet's
northern hemisphere.
That puts
bright star Rigel, at the foot of Orion,
still higher above Orion's belt.
Of course the brightest celestial beacon in
the frame is Sirius, alpha star of the
constellation Canis Major.
The station's
Destiny Laboratory module is in the foreground
at the top right.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
