Rigel

Beta Orionis

Orion

0.13
Apparent Mag
860
Distance (ly)
B8Ia
Spectral Type
12,100
Temperature (K)

Rigel is a blue supergiant in Orion and the seventh-brightest star in the night sky. Despite its Beta designation, it is usually the brightest star in Orion, shining with about 120,000 times the luminosity of the Sun.

Stellar Data

Apparent Magnitude0.13
Absolute Magnitude-7.84
Distance860 light-years
Spectral TypeB8Ia
Temperature12,100 K
Luminosity120,000 L☉
Radius78.9 R☉
Mass21 M☉
Right Ascension05h 14m 32.3s
Declination-08° 12′ 05.9″
ConstellationOrion

Notable Facts

  • Rigel is about 120,000 times more luminous than the Sun
  • Despite being called Beta Orionis, it is usually brighter than Betelgeuse
  • It is a multiple star system with at least four components

More Stars in Orion

View constellation