Iota Orionis (Hatysa)
Iota Orionis (Hatysa) is a double star in the constellation Orion, magnitude 2.8.
The brightest star of Orion’s sword, at its southern tip below the Orion Nebula: a brilliant primary with a much fainter companion. Its components (magnitudes 2.8 and 7.7) lie 11.2″ apart at PA 141° (measured 2023). A third star, C (magnitude 9.8), lies 49.3″ away.
When and where to see it
It is best placed in the evening sky around January, when it crosses the meridian at about 10 pm local time (around midnight in December). It can be seen from everywhere south of 84°N and never sets south of 84°S.
At its highest it stands 34° up from 50°N, 49° up from 35°N, 84° up from the equator, 61° up from 35°S.
Facts
- Type
- Double star
- Constellation
- Orion
- Designations
- Hatysa, Nair al Saif, ι Ori, 44 Ori, 44 Orionis, STF 752, HIP 26241
- Magnitude
- 2.8
- Position
- RA 5h 35.4m, Dec −5° 55′ (J2000)
Open AstroPilot to see when Iota Orionis (Hatysa) is highest tonight from your location, how easy it is with your telescope or binoculars, and an eyepiece view.