ORION

240-1300 light-years

Seven main stars form the familiar pattern of the constellation Orion. Four stars mark the shoulders and knees of the mythological hunter, the remaining three forming the famous 'belt'. At the end of Orion's 'sword' is the spectacular Orion Nebula. Visible from all over the world, Orion has been part of the mythology of many cultures from Finland in the north to the Australian Aboriginals.

Credit: Image made in visible light by Eckhard Slawik.