Orion Volcano

Introduction

The constellation I've chosen is Orion (or "The Hunter"). The reason for my choice is because, having previously studied Muggle Astronomy, I know it harbours the red giant star Betelgeuse; this star is believed to be on the brink (astronomically speaking!) of going supernova and is expected to be the next star to go supernova within the Milky Way. Indeed, all the eyes of Muggle Astronomers are upon it, as the last directly observed supernova explosion in our galaxy dates back to 1604! We're long overdue a fascinating, beautiful supernova shining in the sky!

The constellation also hosts the Orion Nebula (located directly below the "belt" of Orion), one of the most photographed and appreciated nebulas in the sky.

The Myth

It is unclear who first observed the Orion constellation, as it appears in vastly different cultures across many centuries. It does however seem that the first reference to it is in a pre-historic carving (found in Germany) dating back

He was the son of Poseidon ("The King of the Sea") and Euryale (the daughter of the Minos, King of Crete); because of his parentage, he is said to have been able to walk on the waves of the sea.

He thoroughly enjoyed hunting and wished to kill all the animals living on Earth. When he voiced this fantasy of his, Gaia (Mother Earth) was however bewildered and angered, and sent a scorpion after Orion in order to kill the hunter. Having been stung by the scorpion, Orion was later brought back to sense by Ophiuchus, the Serpeant Bearer, thanks to an antidote.

Greeks claimed this legend was the reason why the constellations of Scorpius and Orion never appear in the night sky at the same time, and why the constellation of Ophiuchus can be found roughly halfway between the Scorpius and Orion constellations, as if the scorpion left after having stung Orion and Ophiuchus is coming to his rescue with the