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| Epsilon Orionis (Alnilam, "String of Pearls") is the central star in the belt and the brightest at 1.7. Alnilam is intrinsically much brighter than the other two, but at an increased distance of 412 light years it appears equal in brightness.
The bright (5.4) eclipsing variable VV Orionis is just to the west of Alnilam (about half-way to Mintaka), although you won't find it particularly intriguing as it changes its brightness only by .2 every day and a half. |