Orion rising, featuring "belt" stars

Event Date: November 8th

Time: 6:00 AM

Brief

   Orion now rises at a decent hour: about 9 PM including the "belt" asterism.  Shortly before 9 this evening, and a half hour earlier next week, we see the belt stars nearly vertical in line.  As a result of the sky's orientation however and from our latitude, we don't exactly see them rising one after another, however.  Each star is a little further north (or south) than the other(s), with Mintaka being the closest to the celestial equator.  I will show that in image two with the constellation and belt magnified.  First here is Orion with stick figure on the rise, yet no other labels.

Detailed

   As mentioned earlier, with the belt stars at different declinations, they appear to rise one after another vertically.  However, that is only shortly after seeing it clear the horizon.  When closer, they rise based on how close they are to the celestial equator, with Alnitak being the furthest south and Mintaka being the furthest "north", albeit still shy of the celestial equator by less than 1/2º.  Although I didn't show the equator in the image, that is on intentional.  Whereas the belt-stars are making a line nearly perpendicular with the horizon, the equator is seen from our latitude, at clearing each horizon at an angle, transiting at about 52º (90-38) above the southern azimuth. Also, keep in mind that the different declinations also lead to earlier settings for the Alnitak; we saw something similar with the Summer Triangle, featuring Altair, Deneb and Vega.  Do you remember which one of those stars set then, despite rising last?  If not, stay up very late and find out!  The triangle sets well before dawn, and I will show that again as a reminder, tomorrow.

click on image to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp.