Xi Geminorum

Xi Geminorum (ξ Gem) is a star in the constellation Gemini. It has the traditional name Alzirr, meaning "the button" in Arabic.

This star, along with γ Gem (Alhena), μ Gem (Tejat Posterior), ν Gem and η Gem (Tejat Prior) were Al Han'ah, "the brand" (on the neck of the camel). They also were associated in Al Nuḥātai, the dual form of Al Nuḥāt, "a Camel's Hump"[1]

In Chinese, 井宿 (Jǐng Su), meaning Well (asterism), refers to an asterism consisting of ξ Geminorum, μ Geminorum, ν Geminorum, γ Geminorum, ε Geminorum, 36 Geminorum, ζ Geminorum and λ Geminorum.[2] Consequently, ξ Geminorum itself is known as 井宿四 (Jǐng Su sì, English: the Fourth Star of Well.)[3]

Structure

Xi Geminorum belongs to spectral class F6 and has apparent magnitude +3.4. It is 64 light years from Earth.

Coordinates (J2000):

References

  1. ^ Allen, R. H. (1963). Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning (Reprint ed.). New York, NY: Dover Publications Inc. p. 234. ISBN 0486210790. http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Topics/astronomy/_Texts/secondary/ALLSTA/Gemini*.html. Retrieved 2010-12-12. 
  2. ^ (Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 9789867332257.
  3. ^ (Chinese) 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
Stars of Gemini
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