· · · ·

Iota Geminorum

Propus,* 60 Geminorum

Proper NameSometimes catalogued as Propus, but see footnote below
Bayer DesignationIota Geminorum
Flamsteed Number60 Geminorum
HR (BSC)2821
HD58207
ConstellationGemini
Right Ascension7h 25m 44s
Declination+27° 47' 53"
Distance136 light years
42 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +3.78
Absolute: +0.68
Spectral ClassG9IIIb yellow giant
Optimum VisibilityJanuary / February

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

A yellow giant in the constellation of Gemini. It lies close in the sky to the brighter and better known stars Castor and Pollux, and in fact forms the third corner of a triangle with those two stars. It is much farther away than either Castor or Pollux, though, and appears correspondingly fainter.


* Some sources give this star the proper name of Propus, apparently in confusion with Eta Geminorum which normally bears this name. Given that the name Propus means 'leading foot', it clearly belongs more properly to Eta Geminorum in the 'feet' of Gemini, rather than this star near the heads of the Twins.

Indexes

Related Entries