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Bellatrix - γ Orionis (gamma Orionis)

Bellatrix, also designated as γ Orionis (gamma Orionis), is a variable and double giant star in the constellation of Orion.

Bellatrix visual magnitude is 1.64, making it the 25th brightest star in the sky. Thanks to its high brightness, Bellatrix is clearly visible when observed from locations with dark skyes, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.

The table below summarizes the key facts about Bellatrix:

Color of Bellatrix ⬤

Magnitude of Bellatrix 1.64

Class Giant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW Bellatrix - γ Orionis (gamma Orionis) is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change].

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of Bellatrix

Bellatrix is situated close to the celestial equator, as such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of Bellatrix are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 05h 25m 07s

Declination J2000 +06° 20’ 58”

Galactic Longitude 196.93°

Galactic Latitude -15.95°

Constellation Orion

The simplified sky map below shows the position of Bellatrix in the sky:

Finder chart Bellatrix - γ Orionis (gamma Orionis) star

Simplified finder chart for Bellatrix - γ Orionis (gamma Orionis).

Visibility of Bellatrix from your location

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Today's Bellatrix - γ Orionis (gamma Orionis) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change] are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 83.7° RISE 11:15

Max altitude: 44.9° TRANSIT 17:45

Azimuth: 276.3° SET 0:15

RIGHT NOW Bellatrix - γ Orionis (gamma Orionis) is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

Digitized Sky Survey image of Bellatrix

The image below is a photograph of Bellatrix from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2 - see the credits section) taken in the red channel. The area of sky represented in the image is 0.5x0.5 degrees (30x30 arcmins). The proper motion of Bellatrix is -0.009 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.014 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 10000 years is represented with the red arrow.

Image of Bellatrix - γ Orionis (gamma Orionis) star

DSS2 image of Bellatrix. The red arrow shows the motion of Bellatrix during the next 10000 years (-1.50 arcmin in Right Ascension and -2.33 arcmin in declination);

Distance of Bellatrix from the Sun and relative movement

Bellatrix is distant 242.92 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 18 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 74.52 pc

Distance (light year) 242.92 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity 18 km/s

Proper Motion RA -0.009 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.014 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of Bellatrix

Bellatrix belongs to spectral class B2 and has a luminosity class of III corresponding to a giant star.

Absolute magnitude -2.72

Spectral Type B2III

Color Index (B-V) -0.22

Temperature of Bellatrix 14087K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where Bellatrix is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

H-R diagram showing the position of Bellatrix. Attribution: Richard Powell / CC BY-SA

Bellatrix star system properties

Bellatrix is a visual double star which can be observed only with the help of very large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the Bellatrix double sysyem:

Main star magnitude 1.64

Secondary star magnitude 12.14

Magnitude difference 10.5

Separation 179 arcsec

Alternative designations of Bellatrix

Proper Name Bellatrix

Bayer designation γ Orionis
(gamma Orionis)

Flamsteed designation 24 Orionis

Henry Draper Catalogue HD35468

SAO Catalogue SAO112740

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP25336

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+06 919

FK5 Catalogue 201

General Catalogue of Variable Stars 1972

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Other stars in Orion