The constellation Orion (the Hunter). Orion is one of the most famous constellations, lying on the celestial equator. The bright star near top left is Betelgeuse, a red supergiant 600 light years (l.y.) away. At bottom centre is the blue supergiant Rigel (900 l.y.). Just left of centre are the three stars that form 'Orion's Belt', Alnilam, Alnitak and Mintaka. Below these is 'Orion's Sword', including the pinkish patch of the Orion Nebula, M42 (1,650 l.y.). Orion is visible as a whole from most parts of the Earth, and may be used to find the position of a great number of other stars. The images of the stars of Orion have been enhanced photographically.