Mintaka Star - Research Paper Example

This paper will discuss Mintaka star, which is among the stars of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a huge starthat emits blue light and it is situated in the Orion constellation. It is ranked as the 74th brightest star in the universe, and it is positioned approximately 900 light years away from the earth. It shines at a visual magnitude of 2.25, and it is a constituent of a multiple-star system. Also, while compared to the sun, it travels at a speed of 18.6 km/s through the galaxy, and it is situated on the central part of the molecular cloud of Orion constellation. Mintaka Star Traditionally, astronomers regarded all heavenly bodies such as planets, stars, meteors, comets among others as stars. As time progressed, man advanced his knowledge about heavenly bodies with the help of technological revolution. Today, astronomers have been able to create a distinction between stars and other heavenly bodies. The stars that are situated in the Northern hemisphere are the ones that astronomers have laid significant emphasis to allow them develop a deeper understanding on the way in which they operate. Humanity is popular for identifying itself with stars, and every individual has a particular interest in a certain star. Based on the interest that has been linked with choosing particular stars, the process involved is a lengthy one and time consuming. There are those people who argue that every star tends to portray unique history that is interesting and amazing. Since stars are associated with bizarre history, each one of them is regarded as being of equal importance (Gonzalez). This paper will discuss the star, Mintaka, the constellation it is associated with, its properties as well as its life cycle. Discussion Orion Constellation and the Stars While looking up to the sky during the Tasmanian Summer, it is possible for one to pick up the popular Orion constellation. One of the major captivating features that people see in the Orion belt is the three stars, which people consider to be the giant’s belt. Mintaka is the star that is situated to the westernmost end of the belt, and it is an Arabic word that is associated with a belt. Alnilam is the central star and it refers to “a belt of pearls”. Alnitak is situated to the easternmost side and it refers to a “girdle”. All these stars are said to have been formed at the same time, and are also situated at an equal distance from earth. Rigel, Saiph, Bellatrix and Betelgeuse stars were formed almost at the same time as the three stars (Gonzalez). When observing all these stars on the celestial sphere, Rigel appears to be the brightest one, and it is characterized by a white/blue appearance, while star Betelgeuse shines brightly with a reddish hue. The other stars have varying degrees of brightness, all emitting whitish color. While viewing this constellation, most people tend to ask why these stars have different colors, the matter that makes them and how far they are situated (Starr). Like in the case with most constellations, the unique stars which are associated with a unique figure are positioned at varying degrees of distance from the viewing positions that people adopt here on earth but they do not have a mutual “ancestry.” However, in Table 1, the stars that are situated in Orion’s belt together with the other fainter stars that are above and to the right of the belt share a common distance, which is approximately 1000 light years from earth (Starr). These stars together with Rigel, Saiph and Betelgeuse resulted from molecular dust. Even today, the birth of stars is noted to be taking place in the Great Orion nebulas well as the surrounding gas clouds of this group. One of the major ways of inspecting the origin and the last phase of the stars is by using the Hertzprung-Russel (H-R) diagram (Gonzalez). Astronomers adopt the H-R diagram to plot the luminosity of the stars against temperature to allow them gain an understanding the relative properties of the stars. From the H-R diagram in Figure 1, it is possible to pinpoint the major stars that are found in the constellation. These include Rigel, Alnilam, Alnitak, Mintaka, Bellatrix and Saiph. These stars are blue Supergiants whose temperatures range from 20,000 to 50,000 Kelvin, 10-50 solar masses and a solar radii of 25. Though Betelgeuse is noted to be a cooler supergiant that is characterized by cooler temperatures that range from 3,500 to 4,500 Kelvin, its radii can extend beyond earth’s radii if it is swapped with the sun (Kaler). Table 1 OBJECT DISTANCE (LIGHT YEARS) M42 1600 Alnilam 1359.01 Mintaka 918.77 Alnitak 825.73 Rigel 776.58 Saiph 724.81 Betelgeuse 429.16 Bellatrix 243.41 Source: (Millward) Figure 1: H-R Diagram of major Orion Constellation Stars (1 – Betelgeuse; 2 – Rigel; 3 – Bellatrix; 4 – Alnitak; 5 – Alnilam; 6 – Mintaka; 7 – Saiph) Source: (Millward) Properties of the Mintaka Star The Mintaka star is classified as the 7th brightest star in the Orin constellation. It is also the faintest and westernmost star, which is on Orion’s belt. It is a manifold star system whose main components comprise of the B star (30,000 Kelvin) and an O star that is even hotter. Each of these components has a mass that is 20 solar masses while compared to the sun. They also have a luminosity that is 70,000 times higher than of our sun and they orbit each other after 5.73 days. Mintaka is famous for having served as a background against which the first interstellar gas was detected in 1904 (Kaler). It is situated at a distance of approximately 916 light years from the earth. The Bayer designation of this star is Delta Orionis and its Flamsteed designation is 34 Orionis. Together with Alnilam (Epsilon Orionis) and Alnitak (Zeta Orionis), the three stars are the ones that make up the Orion belt, which is given many names by different cultures. When Orion constellation approaches the meridian, Mintaka is noted to be the rightmost of the stars on the belt when viewed by an observer facing south while in the Northern hemisphere (NRAO). Being the faintest of the stars that are situated at the Orion belt, most amateur astronomers see the star as a “mount calibration” since it lies within a quarter degree of the celestial equator, which makes it to be seen as rising exactly from the east and setting to the west. The star portrays the characteristics of the other two stars that are found in the Orion constellation though it is more popular for its complex starry companions. For a quarter of a light year from Mintaka, a 7th magnitude star is noted to be orbiting the blue supergiant. In between this distance, another 14th magnitude star orbits Mintaka (Millward). Figure 2 below is an illustration of the location of the Mintaka star. Source: (Astro Studio) In terms of brightness, Table 2 below illustrates the position of Mintaka while compared to other stars that are situated at the Orin constellation. Rank Brightness Star 1 0.18  Rigel 2 0.45  Betelgeuse 3 1.64  Bellatrix 4 1.69 Alnilam 5 1.74 Alnitak 6 2.07 Saiph 7 2.25 Mintaka 8 2.75 Hatsya 9 3.19 Tabit 10 3.35 Eta Orionis 11 3.39 Heka 12 3.59 Tau Orionis 13 3.68 Pi-4 Orionis 14 3.71 Pi-5 Orionis 15 3.77 Sigma Orionis 16 4.06 Omicron-2 Orionis 17 4.09 Phi-2 Orionis Source: (Astro Studio) Mintaka Life Cycle The Orion belt where Mintaka is situated comprises of molecular gas clouds that give rise to the stars. As such, Mintaka was born as a result of a molecular reaction of dust particles and hydrogen. Mintaka consumes its hydrogen and start burning helium into carbon and oxygen as a result of the gravitational force that is within it. With time, its radius will expand resulting to a cooler outside temperature because the outer layers of the star will become less dense. When helium will start fusing with heavier compounds such as silicon and carbon, Iron will be formed at the core since it cannot fuse anymore. This will make the star to collapse on its own as a result of the tremendous heating of the iron core and make it to shrink to a neutron core. The crushed core will then heat to billion degrees and eventually explode resulting to a supernova (Starr). Conclusion The paper has revealed that people associate stars with unique figures. With the advancements that man has realized in technology and knowledge, he has been able to make a clear distinction between stars and other heavenly bodies. The Mintaka star is linked with the Orion constellation, and it is situated on the westernmost end of the belt. All the other stars that are situated at Orion constellation were formed at the same time and they are situated at the same distance from the earth. Though Mintaka is the faintest star, is portrays characteristics that are similar to the other two stars that are found on the Orion belt. However, it is more popular because of the starry complex companions that it is associated with, such as the 7th magnitude and the 14th magnitude components that orbit it. Works Cited Astro Studio. "Mintaka: HIP 25930." 2014. Ashland Astronomy Studio. web. 7 May 2014. . Gonzalez, Ricardo. "Star Journey to Orion Mintaka." 2014. Peru Exopolitics. web. 7 May 2014. . Kaler, Jim. "Mintaka." 2014. Stars. web. 7 May 2014. . Millward, Mervyn. "Major Stars of the Orion Constellation." 2011. York Creek. web. 7 May 2014. . NRAO. "Orions Belt Stars." 2013. Nrao. web. 7 May 2014. . Starr, Peter. "Stars of the Orion Constellation." 2004. Observatory. web. 7 May 2014. . Read More