[Friends_of_SSASTROS] Going Below the Belt

[Mike McCabe]

We've all heard the term, and it's usually used in a derogatory manner to describe an unfair move, comment, action, or whatnot from one person or entity to another. Having been told that you've gone there is not something to be proud of. But I'm here to introduce you to one time when going below the belt is a good thing, in fact a very good thing.
Most of us can recognize the constellation Orion in the night sky, which at this time of year stands at its highest in the south at the onset of darkness. One of the most recognizable features about this iconic constellation is the mighty hunter's belt,  which is comprised of three bright stars in a roughly horizontal row across the middle of the asterism. These stars, Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka all shine at around 2nd magnitude and are virtually instantly recognizable to even the most casual sky gazer.
It's immediately below the leftmost star of the belt, Alnitak, that you'll find one of the prettiest multiple star systems in the night sky. Formally known as Sigma Orionis, this five star system is incredibly beautiful in and of itself, and when combined with the observation of another nearby triple system the view can justify any energy expended in getting out there in the cold and setting up your scope.
Finding Sigma couldn't be much easier. At magnitude 4.0 it's naked-eye visible under most of our local skies, and even if it isn't, Alnitak is and if you put that in the finder scope Sigma will be right below it.
You'll find the view enjoyable at virtually all levels of magnification. At medium magnification levels you'll find that Sigma, Struve 761, and HD 37525 form a very slender and pretty triangle. You'll need medium-high power to pull out the dim 'C' component in the Sigma system, and don't be disappointed if all you can count is four stars in the system - 'A'  & 'B' are a spectroscopic pair that aren't resolvable in a backyard telescope.
Use the charts below to navigate your own path below the belt, and don't worry, this time it won't sully your character one bit. Just keep looking up and you'll be fine!

Sigma Orionis, marked here with the yellow dashes, is an easy find right below Alnitak.

The charts above are attached to this email in a one-page PDF document. Just remember to compensate for the optical system you're looking through, which will either invert the image or reverse it left to right depending on the design of your telescope.
Clear Skies,
Mike McCabe
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