Alnilam

Epsilon Orionis

Orion

1.69
Apparent Mag
2,000
Distance (ly)
B0Ia
Spectral Type
27,500
Temperature (K)

Alnilam is the middle star of Orion's Belt and one of the most luminous stars known. It is a blue supergiant approximately 2,000 light-years away, losing mass rapidly through a strong stellar wind.

Stellar Data

Apparent Magnitude1.69
Absolute Magnitude-6.89
Distance2,000 light-years
Spectral TypeB0Ia
Temperature27,500 K
Luminosity275,000 L☉
Radius42 R☉
Mass40 M☉
Right Ascension05h 36m 12.8s
Declination-01° 12′ 06.9″
ConstellationOrion

Notable Facts

  • Alnilam is about 275,000 times more luminous than the Sun
  • It is the middle and brightest of the three stars in Orion's Belt
  • Its stellar wind is so powerful it loses mass at a significant rate

More Stars in Orion

View constellation