Saving Private Orion

Where do I find Orion?

Orion is well visible to the south on winter evenings. Look first for the three stars in a row — the "belt" — and build up the whole constellation from there.

Photos: Astrophotography Group of the Ghent University Public Observatory Armand Pien.

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Limiting magnitude *

Compare the real sky with the references below and click the image that fits best. They show Orion with increasing brightness of the faintest visible stars — from magnitude 0 (very polluted or cloudy) to magnitude 7 (exceptionally dark sky).

Magnitude 0

cloudy sky · < 0.50 mag

Magnitude 1

< 1.50 mag

Magnitude 2

< 2.50 mag

Magnitude 3

< 3.50 mag

Magnitude 4

< 4.50 mag

Magnitude 5

< 5.50 mag

Magnitude 6

< 6.50 mag

Magnitude 7

< 7.50 mag

Date & time of observation

Cloud coverClearLight cloudsPartly cloudyOvercast

Bortle estimate (optional, 1–9)

SQM reading (optional, mag/arcsec²)

Reading from a Sky Quality Meter, typically 16–22 in Belgium.

Moon was visible

Observation location *

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Name (optional)

Email (optional, not public)

Notes (optional)

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All observations

Colour: green = high limiting magnitude (dark sky), red = low limiting magnitude (heavy light pollution).

0 observation(s).