Where to Find Orion

Because of Orion's location relative to other prominent landmarks and its own bright and prominent stars, the constellation is easy to find. These tips should guide you in the right direction to find Orion in the sky.

1. Look along the ecliptic.
   One easy technique to locate Orion is to follow the ecliptic. Orion is situated near the ecliptic, so we can look along the ecliptic to find it. The ecliptic is the path the Sun, Moon, and planets trace along the sky as they follow their orbits. This is the path the Sun follows from sunrise to sunset.
2. Look for Sirius.
   Another landmark to watch for is Sirius. Sirius is the brightest star in the northern hemisphere, so it is easy to spot. Sirius is also along the ecliptic, and Orion is right next to it. Trace a path from sirius eastward along the ecliptic, and Orion will be right there.
3. Look for Orion's Belt.
   Orion's Belt is also hard to miss. Look for the distinct row of three bright stars and you've found Orion. Flanking Orion's belt, you should see Betelgeuse and Rigel.