Альнилам vs Альнитак
A 2.19-magnitude difference in absolute output separates them, −7.22 to −5.03. Catalogues list Альнилам as a B-type star in Orion and Альнитак as an O-type star in Orion. The two are near-identical in apparent brightness, Альнилам at magnitude +1.69 and Альнитак at +1.74. Only 736 light-years separate the Sun from Альнитак; Альнилам sits 2.7 times further out at 1,977.
Property comparison
| Property | Альнилам | Альнитак |
|---|---|---|
| Обозначение | 46Eps Ori | 50Zet Ori |
| Созвездие | Orion | Orion |
| Спектральный класс | Class B — B-type (Blue-White) | Class O — O-type (Blue) |
| Видимая звёздная величина | +1.69 | +1.74 |
| Абсолютная звёздная величина | -7.22 | -5.03 |
| Расстояние | 1,977 ly | 736 ly |
| Масса | N/A | N/A |
| Радиус | N/A | N/A |
| Температура | N/A | N/A |
| Светимость | N/A | N/A |
Full data for each star: Альнилам · Альнитак
Key differences
Key Differences
- ◆ Alnilam (Epsilon Orionis) is the central star of Orion's Belt; Alnitak (Zeta Orionis) is the eastern star.
- ◆ Alnilam is an F supergiant class at ~27,500 K; Alnitak is an O-type at ~29,500 K.
- ◆ Alnilam has a mass of ~40 M☉ versus Alnitak's ~33 M☉.
- ◆ Alnitak is closer at ~1,260 light-years; Alnilam is ~2,000 light-years away.
- ◆ Both are expected to end their lives as supernovae within the next few million years.