Theta Orionis, apricot

Theta Orionis

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Description

Spectrum of the monster O hot star that is lighting up the M42 nebula.

Quoting Jim Khaler :

"Theta-1 is a quartet, which carries a group name, the "Trapezium," from west to east labelled Theta-1 A, B, C, and D. Clumped within a span of 22 seconds of arc, all are hot class O and B stars that together make an apparent "single star" of magnitude 5 (4.7). Taken separately, from A through D, they are of magnitude 6.7, 8.0, 5.1, and 6.7 and blue spectral classes B1, B0, O6, and B0.5. All contribute to the energetic ultraviolet light that energizes (ionizes, stripping electrons from atoms) the Orion Nebula. By far the leader of the pack is Theta-1 C, a great 40-solar-mass star with a temperature of 40,000 Kelvin (making it the hottest "naked eye" star, though the 4 are inseparable without optical aid), a huge luminosity 210,000 times that of the Sun (85 percent of the Trapezium's total), and a 1000 kilometer/second wind with 100,000 times the flow rate of the solar wind. The other members of the Trapezium pale only in comparison with "C," all containing over 10 solar masses."

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Theta Orionis, apricot