Blue star · Orion

Meissa

Also known as: λ Orionis (λ Ori), HIP 26207

mag 3.41,100 light-years

About

Meissa (λ Orionis) is a blue star of magnitude 3.4 in Orion, about 1,100 light-years away.

Meissa is in the constellation Orion.
Best evenings: around late January it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 70° S.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesVisible from the suburbs on a clear night, but lost in bright city skies.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Meissa
Designation	λ Orionis (λ Ori)
Hipparcos number	HIP 26207
Type	Blue star
Spectral type	O
Colour	Blue-whiteB−V colour index −0.16
Magnitude	3.4The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	1,100 light-yearsThe light you see left it around AD 900. Distances this large are uncertain by 10% or more.
Proper motion	0.002″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Orion
Right ascension (J2000)	05h 35m 08.3s
Declination (J2000)	+09° 56′ 03″