S Orionis facts for kids

S Orionis is a very large star found in the Orion constellation. It is a special type of star called a Mira variable. This means its brightness changes over time. S Orionis is much, much bigger than our own Sun, with a diameter 530 times larger!

What is S Orionis?

S Orionis is a type of star known as a Mira variable. These stars are very old and very large. They get brighter and dimmer in a regular pattern. Imagine a giant heart beating in space! This change in brightness happens because the star itself is expanding and shrinking.

Where is S Orionis Located?

You can find S Orionis in the Orion constellation. Orion is one of the most famous constellations in the night sky. It looks like a hunter. Many people can easily spot Orion's Belt, which is made of three bright stars in a row. S Orionis is part of this amazing star group.

How Big is S Orionis?

S Orionis is a truly enormous star. Its diameter is about 530 times larger than the Sun. To help you imagine this, if S Orionis were in the place of our Sun, its outer layers would reach far beyond the orbit of Mars! It is a giant star, much bigger than anything in our solar system.

Why Does S Orionis Change Brightness?

S Orionis changes its brightness because it is a pulsating star. This means it regularly expands and shrinks. As it expands, it cools down and gets dimmer. As it shrinks, it heats up and gets brighter. This process also causes the star to produce a lot of dust. Scientists can study this dust and also special light signals called masers to learn more about these amazing stars.

Images for kids

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  Pulsations of S Orionis, showing dust production and masers (ESO)

See also

In Spanish: S Orionis para niños