Orion Time Lapse
April 20, 2004
Provided and copyright by: Shaun Lowe
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster; Shaun Lowe
The constellation of Orion the Hunter streaks by in this 5 minute exposure taken in late November 2003 from Nova Scotia, Canada. While the Southern Cross is the brightest constellation in the night sky of the Southern Hemisphere, Orion is perhaps the most familiar figure in the Northern Hemisphere's skies. Orion is actually visible form most locations in the Southern Hemisphere too. Even in a blurred condition, Orion is recognizable to most people. Betelgeuse is the pinkish star at upper left (Orion's right shoulder), and the brightest star, at center, is Rigel (Orion's left foot). Orion is slowly but surely sinking in the western sky soon after sunset, but it's still an inspiring sight. The pink star to the upper right of Betelgeuse is Aldebaran, the dominant star in the constellation Taurus the Bull, and like Betelgeuse, it's a red supergiant. Note that light pollution from the city of Halifax, some 40 kilometers (25 mi) away, can be seen on the horizon of this time lapse photo.
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