You can identify what hemisphere you’re in by looking at a map. If the country you’re in lies south of the equator, you’re in the southern hemisphere. If the country you’re in lies north of the equator, you’re in the northern hemisphere.
Betelgeuse is a red supergiant and, true to its name, glows a dull red-orange. It is located up and to the left of the Belt of Orion if you’re in the northern hemisphere, and down and to the right of the Belt if you’re in the southern hemisphere. [5] X Research source Rigel is a blue-white star located down and to the right of the Belt of Orion if you’re in the northern hemisphere, and up and to the left if you’re in the southern hemisphere. [6] X Research source
The Orion Nebula is located just to one side of the line between Alnilam (the middle star in the Belt of Orion) and Rigel in the constellation Orion. These and other major features of the night sky will provide relative guide you to where you can locate it. There are several major stars and constellations around M42 which can help you locate it. The Belt of Orion is one such constellation. Locating it with your star chart should be easy. The constellation Orion is a major constellation and lends the Orion Nebula its name. Orion is located at the intersection of Taurus, Lepus, and Gemini.
If your star chart does have a label for M42, your job is much easier. Use it to locate the nebula.
Use your setting circle to find the nebula. You can designate the declination and right ascension mechanically or, on a newer scope, digitally. [11] X Research source Look through the eyepiece to see M42.
