How to Look at the Constellations of Orion

Print out, or draw, a copy of the Orion constellation. Include the names of the major stars that form the constellation. Draw the brightest stars larger, so you can easily identify them in relation to each other in the sky.

Go outside on a clear night, preferably somewhere without much light. If you live in town, you may have to go to the park or outside to escape the ambient light in your town. Look to the southwest sky. Remember that Orion is only visible, in the northern hemisphere, during the fall and winter months.

Look for the stars Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka. These three, semi-bright stars form Orion's distinctive belt. Identify them by their relation to each other, as the three stars should be in a straight line and shine with approximately the same brightness. Remember that Orion is a bright enough constellation that you can see most of it without any visual enhancement.

Identify Betelgeuse and Bellatrix, the shoulders of Orion, which are above the belt and wider than the belt. Identify Saiph and Rigel, the feet of Orin, which are below the belt and wider than the belt. Remember that the belt, shoulders and feet of Orion are the most distinguishable markers and do not require a telescope to see.

Look for the head and bow of Orion. Remember that these stars are less bright than the other stars in the constellation. Find the head by looking at the shoulders of Orion, and then locating a dim star located between the shoulders and slightly higher in the night sky. Find the bow by looking in a line to the right of Bellatrix. From the bow, move your eyes in a curved line up from the center point and below this point to located the entire bow.

Focus your telescope on Betelgeuse. Move upwards from Betelgeuse and locate the five tiny stars that identify Orion's arm and club.