Gamma Geminorum

γ Geminorum
Location of γ Geminorum (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Gemini
Right ascension 06h 37m 42.71050s
Declination +16° 23 57.4095
Apparent magnitude (V) 1.915
Characteristics
Spectral type A1IV + G
U−B color index +0.137
B−V color index +0.005
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)−12.5 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: +13.81 mas/yr
Dec.: −54.96 mas/yr
Parallax (π)29.84±2.23 mas
Distance109 ± 8 ly
(34 ± 3 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−0.68
Orbit
Period (P)4,614.51 days
Eccentricity (e)0.8933 ± 0.0013
Periastron epoch (T)244399.13 ± 0.77
Argument of periastron (ω)
(secondary)
312.60 ± 0.60°
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)
11.881 ± 0.068 km/s
Details
γ Gem A
Mass2.81 M
Radius5.16±0.77 R
Luminosity207.3+37.2
−31.5
 L
Surface gravity (log g)3.56±0.08 cgs
Temperature9,190±130 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]–0.12 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)10.7±0.2 km/s
γ Gem B
Mass1.07 M
Other designations
Alhena, 24 Geminorum, BD+16°1223, FK5 251, GCTP1539.00, HIP 31681, HD 47105, HR 2421, SAO 95912
Database references
SIMBADdata

Gamma Geminorum (γ Geminorum, abbreviated Gamma Gem, γ Gem), formally named Alhena /ælˈhnə/, is the third-brightest object in the constellation of Gemini. It has an apparent visual magnitude of 1.9, making it easily visible to the naked eye even in urban regions. Based upon parallax measurements with the Hipparcos satellite, it is located at a distance of roughly 109 light-years (33 parsecs).