α Geminorum (alpha Geminorum)
α Geminorum is a multiple main-sequence star in the constellation of Gemini.
α Geminorum visual magnitude is 2.88. Thanks to its high brightness, α Geminorum is clearly visible when observed from locations with dark skyes, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.
The table below summarizes the key facts about α Geminorum:
Celestial coordinates and finder chart of α Geminorum
α Geminorum is situated north of the celestial equator, as such, it is more easily visible from the northern hemisphere. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of α Geminorum are provided in the following table:
The simplified sky map below shows the position of α Geminorum in the sky:
Visibility of α Geminorum from your location
Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom [change]
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Today's α Geminorum (alpha Geminorum) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom [change] are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):
Digitized Sky Survey image of α Geminorum
The image below is a photograph of α Geminorum from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2 - see the credits section) taken in the red channel. The area of sky represented in the image is 0.5x0.5 degrees (30x30 arcmins). The proper motion of α Geminorum is -0.172 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and -0.099 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 1000 years is represented with the red arrow.
Distance of α Geminorum from the Sun and relative movement
α Geminorum is distant 51.53 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 1 kilometers per second.
Spectral properties of α Geminorum
α Geminorum belongs to spectral class A2 and has a luminosity class of V corresponding to a main-sequence star.
The red dot in the diagram below shows where α Geminorum is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
α Geminorum star system properties
α Geminorum is a visual double star which can be observed with the help of medium or large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the α Geminorum double sysyem: