χ2 Orionis (chi2 Orionis)

χ2 Orionis is a variable supergiant star in the constellation of Orion.

χ2 Orionis visual magnitude is 4.63. Because of its moderate brightness, χ2 Orionis should be easily visible from locations with dark skyes, while it can be barely visible, or not visible at all, from skyes affected by light pollution.

The table below summarizes the key facts about χ2 Orionis:

Color of χ2 Orionis ⬤

Magnitude of χ2 Orionis 4.63

Class Supergiant

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW χ2 Orionis (chi2 Orionis) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 28°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of χ2 Orionis

χ2 Orionis 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 χ2 Orionis are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 06h 03m 55s

Declination J2000 +20° 08’ 17”

Galactic Longitude 189.69°

Galactic Latitude -0.86°

Constellation Orion

The simplified sky map below shows the position of χ2 Orionis in the sky:

Finder chart χ2 Orionis (chi2 Orionis) star

Simplified finder chart for χ2 Orionis (chi2 Orionis).

Visibility of χ2 Orionis from your location

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

Today's χ2 Orionis (chi2 Orionis) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 69.9° RISE 6:49

Max altitude: 58.7° TRANSIT 14:36

Azimuth: 290.1° SET 22:23

RIGHT NOW χ2 Orionis (chi2 Orionis) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

Digitized Sky Survey image of χ2 Orionis

The image below is a photograph of χ2 Orionis 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 χ2 Orionis is 0.002 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.006 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 100000 years is represented with the red arrow.

DSS2 image of χ2 Orionis. The red arrow shows the motion of χ2 Orionis during the next 100000 years (3.33 arcmin in Right Ascension and -10.00 arcmin in declination);

Distance of χ2 Orionis from the Sun and relative movement

χ2 Orionis is distant 32,600.00 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 17 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 10,000.00 pc

Distance (light year) 32,600.00 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity 17 km/s

Proper Motion RA 0.002 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec -0.006 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of χ2 Orionis

χ2 Orionis belongs to spectral class B2 and has a luminosity class of I corresponding to a supergiant star.

Absolute magnitude -10.37

Spectral Type B2I

Color Index (B-V) 0.28

Temperature of χ2 Orionis 7591K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where χ2 Orionis is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

H-R diagram showing the position of χ2 Orionis. Attribution: Richard Powell / CC BY-SA

Alternative designations of χ2 Orionis

Bayer designation χ2 Orionis
(chi2 Orionis)

Flamsteed designation 62 Orionis

Henry Draper Catalogue HD41117

SAO Catalogue SAO77911

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP28716

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+20 1233

General Catalogue of Variable Stars 2809

In Evidence

Other stars in Orion