In smaller telescopes you can see the four main stars in the trapezoid shape, hence the name, which are just as you said, a small cluster of non-associated stars, not a triple, quadruple, etc. star system. In a decent 6" scope under good seeing conditions you can see also two more stars for a total of 6. The main four are simply labled A, B, C, and D. The two fainter stars easily seen in a decent 8" scope are labled E and F. There are also two fainter stars in the group labled G and H, but they are very faint at magnitude 16.jnorman said:i always thought the trapezium in orion was a very strange quadruple star - not a double binary, but an actual quadruple star group with bizarre orbital patterns. however, now i read that it is just a cluster, i guess implying that they are not really orbitally associated. can someone please provide the correct description of the trapezium for me? thanks.
The Trapezium in Orion is a quadruple star system located in the Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery in the constellation Orion. It is composed of four young stars that are tightly bound together by gravity and are known for their irregular and variable behavior.
The Trapezium in Orion is considered strange because it is a quadruple star system, which is rare in the universe. It is also unusual because the stars are young and still in the process of forming, causing them to display unpredictable and erratic behavior.
The Trapezium in Orion is located approximately 1,500 light-years away from Earth. This makes it one of the closest star systems to our planet.
The Trapezium in Orion is important for scientific research because it provides a unique opportunity to study the early stages of star formation. The young stars in this system are still surrounded by gas and dust, giving scientists valuable insights into the processes that govern the birth of stars.
Yes, the Trapezium in Orion can be seen with the naked eye under ideal viewing conditions. However, it is best observed with a telescope or binoculars, especially in areas with light pollution. It is a popular target for amateur astronomers and can be easily located in the night sky near the constellation Orion's Belt.