If using Orion’s belt stars as a guide, in which direction should an observer trace a line to find Sirius?
Answer
Down and to the left from Orion’s belt.
For practical celestial navigation, particularly during winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, Sirius serves as a conspicuous landmark near the prominent hunter figure Orion. The recommended method involves using the three distinct belt stars of Orion—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka—as a reference point. Observers should mentally trace a line extending downward and toward the left from the alignment of these belt stars; the next significant, bright star encountered along that trajectory is Sirius.
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