We use cookies to deliver essential features and to measure their performance. By using this site you accept our Privacy Policies.
A Complete Guide to the Solar System and the Night Sky
Donate Now! Help keep this site free and ads-free!
public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
wb_twilight Civil TwilightWhat's Visible Now?
All Constellations » Orion » 

Meissa - λ Orionis (lambda Orionis)

Altitude: -28.6°   Azimuth: 2.4°   Direction: North

Meissa, also designated as λ Orionis (lambda Orionis), is a variable and multiple giant star in the constellation of Orion.

Meissa visual magnitude is 3.54. Because of its moderate brightness, Meissa should be easily visible from locations with dark skies, while it can be barely visible, or not visible at all, from skies affected by light pollution.

The proper motion of Meissa is 0 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.

Image of Meissa - λ Orionis (lambda Orionis) star
DSS2 image of Meissa. The red arrow shows the motion of Meissa during the next 100000 years (0.00 arcmin in Right Ascension and -10.00 arcmin in declination);

Key facts about Meissa

3.54
Giant

Meissa - λ Orionis (lambda Orionis) is below the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt.

Altitude: -28.6°
Azimuth: 2.4°
Direction: North

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of Meissa

Meissa 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 Meissa are provided in the following table:

05h 35m 08s
+09° 56’ 03”
195.05°
-12°
Orion

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

Finder chart Meissa - λ Orionis (lambda Orionis) star
Simplified finder chart for Meissa - λ Orionis (lambda Orionis).

Visibility of Meissa 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 Meissa - λ Orionis (lambda 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: 80.1°
Max altitude: 48.5°
Azimuth: 279.9°

Distance of Meissa from the Sun and relative movement

Meissa is distant 1,055.02 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 34 kilometers per second.

323.62 pc
1,055.02 ly
34 km/s
-0.006 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of Meissa

Meissa belongs to spectral class O8 and has a luminosity class of III corresponding to a giant star.

-4.01
O8III
13121K

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

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

Meissa star system properties

Meissa is a visual double star which can be observed with the help of small or medium telescopes. The table below shows key information about the Meissa double sysyem:

3.54
5.54
2
4.4 arcsec

Alternative designations of Meissa

Meissa
λ Orionis
(lambda Orionis)
SAO112921
SAO112921