Star lore
Bellatrix
Direct answer
Bellatrix is Gamma Orionis, a hot blue giant marking Orion's western shoulder.
Bellatrix is the blue-white shoulder star opposite Betelgeuse in Orion.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Related
- Hadar, Shaula, Elnath, Alnilam
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The story behind Bellatrix
Bellatrix’s Latin name means female warrior, a proper name now standardized by the IAU.
A one-minute story
The Road of the Sun
Where the twelve signs came from, and why they carry the names they do.
Why Bellatrix matters
Bellatrix’s contrast with orange Betelgeuse provides a simple naked-eye introduction to stellar color and temperature.
How to read Bellatrix
Find Orion's Belt, then identify Bellatrix above the belt on the side opposite Betelgeuse.
Bellatrix in practice: an example
Comparing Bellatrix and Betelgeuse side by side makes their temperature-driven color difference obvious.
Where readings of Bellatrix go wrong
A star's apparent color can be altered by haze, altitude, and individual color perception.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- IAU Division C Working Group on Star Names - Official IAU working group responsible for standardizing star names used in international astronomy.
- CDS SIMBAD Astronomical Database - Professional astronomical database for stellar identifiers, positions, classifications, and bibliography.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Compare Orion's two shoulders
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Common questions
What is Bellatrix?
Bellatrix is Gamma Orionis, a hot blue giant marking Orion's western shoulder.
What does the name Bellatrix mean?
Bellatrix’s Latin name means female warrior, a proper name now standardized by the IAU.
What do people get wrong about Bellatrix?
A star's apparent color can be altered by haze, altitude, and individual color perception.
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