Explore the Universe - Orion

I had the opportunity to map Orion with binoculars and my naked eye.  I managed to split M42 and M43 using a UHC filter to improve the contrast on the Orion Nebula and recorded my M43 observation.  I also found M41 in Canis Major again and recorded my observation.

Orion was first depicted in carvings nearly 35,000 years ago in a cave in the western part of Germany.  The first civilizations in Babylonia depict Orion as the Shepherd to the gods.  The Old Testament mentioned Orion several times calling it the Hebrew word for hope.  Greek Mythology contans the most well known references to Orion.  As mentioned in The Iliad, Orion was a great hunter and his dog was Sirius, (Alpha Canis Majoris) the brightest star in Canis Major also known as 'The Dog Star'.  It is interesting to note that Sirius rises in the sky a mere hour after Orion.  The Odyssey sees Orion hunting the underworld with a big club which can be seen in the constellation.  The most famous myth recalls Orion (Son of Poseidon and a daughter of King Minos) walking on the water (due to his paternal heritage) to an island and attacking the ruler's daughter.  He was struck blind for his foolishness and went on a journey for a cure.  Eventually he was cured but had vengeance in his heart.  He made his way to Crete with a visceral anger and threatened to destroy all the beasts on Earth.  He was divinely struck down by a scorpion and memorialized in the sky by Zeus.  Zeus also placed the scorpion in the sky in what is the well-known zodiacal constellation of Scorpius.

Orion (Artist Interpretation)

Orion is a great constellation for newcomers to astronomy.  It contains many bright stars and a naked eye deep sky object.  The shape is familiar to even the most casual sky watcher.  The only real drawback is that it is a winter constellation, making its appearance high in the sky during cold weather.  However, Calgary chinooks can provide the perfect amount of warmth to spend some time under the great hunter.  The mapping I completed is shown in the image below.

Orion Observation Record

The Alpha star of Orion is a red supergiant whose colour can be seen easily with the naked eye.  The star is so large that its diameter would extend beyond the orbit of Mars if placed at the center of our solar system.

If the weather looks to be cloudy and cool observing time will be limited or non-existent.  The time can be used for indoor astronomy.  This includes record keeping, observation planning and charting future astronomical events.  Hopefully you have the chance to look up and view the great constellation of Orion and watch out for his dog too!