Gamma Geminorum

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Gamma Geminorum A

Alhena is the γ star in the constellation of Gemini.
Observation data
Epoch J2000
Constellation
(pronunciation)
Gemini
Right ascension 06h 37m 42.7s
Declination +16° 23′ 57″
Apparent magnitude (V) 1.93
Characteristics
Spectral type A0 IV
U-B color index 0.06
B-V color index 0.00
Variable type ?
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv) -12.1 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: -2.04 mas/yr
Dec.: -66.92 mas/yr
Parallax (π) 31.12 ± 2.33 mas
Distance 105 ± 8 ly
(32 ± 2 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV) -0.61
Details
Mass 2.8 M
Radius 4.4 R
Luminosity 160 L
Temperature 9,750 K
Metallicity ?
Rotation 32 km/s.
Age ? years
Other designations
Alhena, 24 Geminorum, HR 2421, BD +16°1223, HD 47105, GCTP1539.00, SAO 95912, FK5 251, HIP 31681.

Gamma Geminorum (γ Gem / γ Geminorum) is a star in the constellation Gemini. It also has traditional names Alhena and Almeisan. It is known as 井宿三 (the Third Star of the Well) in Chinese.

Alhena is 105 light years distant from Earth, and has an apparent magnitude of 1.93 (absolute magnitude −0.7) and belongs to the spectral class A0. It is a spectroscopic binary with a faint class-G companion.

The name Alhena is from the Arabic الهنعه Al Han'ah, "the brand" (on the neck of the camel), whilst the alternate name Almeisan is from the Arabic المیسان Al Maisan, "the shining one."