42 Orionis, also known as c Orionis or c Ori, is a class B1V[3] (blue main-sequence) star in the constellation Orion.

Its apparent magnitude is 4.59[2] and it is approximately 900 light years away based on parallax.

[1] The primary star, Aa, has one spectroscopic companion Ab of magnitude 6.3 and separation 0.16", and a more distant companion B of 7.5 magnitude at 1.6" separation.

[8][9] 42 Orionis is surrounded by NGC 1977 one of a smaller fainter group of named nebulae just north of the Orion Nebula.

42 Ori is the star which excites and illuminates NGC 1977.