images

Orion's belt rising over the lights of Coonabarabran

by

David Malin Images/Novapix

Reference

a-pas01-10005

Date

2006-09-20

From Siding Spring Mountain, Australia, there is a clear view to the eastern horizon, directly over the small town of Coonabarabran about 26 km from the telescopes. Here we see the three distinctive trails of Orion's belt rising above the town. The rightmost star of the line of three is Minkata, and it is within a degree of the celestial equator. The point on the horizon where it rises is very close to due east and similarly its setting point is almost exactly due west. Minkata has long been an important navigation star. and its trail is a straight line, while either side of Orion's belt, towards the celestial poles, the star trails become increasingly curved.