Which constellation contains the belt of Orion formed by Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka, and contains Rigel and Betelgeuse?

Which constellation contains the belt of Orion formed by Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka, and contains Rigel and Betelgeuse?

• A. Orion
• B. Cassiopeia
• C. Cygnus
• D. Lyra

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing Orion by its distinctive belt and its two other bright stars. The belt is the line of three bright stars—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka—that sit within a hunter-shaped pattern. This same pattern features Betelgeuse, the bright reddish shoulder star, and Rigel, the bright blue-white foot star. Together, these defining stars belong to one constellation—the hunter in the sky. So, the constellation that contains the belt and includes Betelgeuse and Rigel is Orion. The other constellations are known for different shapes: Cassiopeia is a W-shaped crown, Cygnus forms a cross of a swan, and Lyra centers on Vega, none of which include Orion’s belt paired with Betelgeuse and Rigel.

The key idea is recognizing Orion by its distinctive belt and its two other bright stars. The belt is the line of three bright stars—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka—that sit within a hunter-shaped pattern. This same pattern features Betelgeuse, the bright reddish shoulder star, and Rigel, the bright blue-white foot star. Together, these defining stars belong to one constellation—the hunter in the sky. So, the constellation that contains the belt and includes Betelgeuse and Rigel is Orion. The other constellations are known for different shapes: Cassiopeia is a W-shaped crown, Cygnus forms a cross of a swan, and Lyra centers on Vega, none of which include Orion’s belt paired with Betelgeuse and Rigel.