Star profile

Upsilon Geminorum

3D likeness based on its real data · class K · ~4,200 K

What is Upsilon Geminorum

Upsilon Geminorum shines in the Twins at two hundred and seventy light-years, an orange K-type giant that has exhausted the hydrogen in its core and swollen to colossal proportions. It quietly accompanies Castor and Pollux —the names that dominate the constellation's imagination— forming part of the invisible body linking the mythological brothers in the winter sky.

Where it is and when to see it

Upsilon Geminorum lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is January, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 65° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 76° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 29° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 63° S.

It ranks no. 15 in brightness among the 74 stars of Gemini in our catalogue. To find it, start from Pollux, the brightest: it lies about 2° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 270 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Upsilon Geminorum

Constellation: Gemini
Apparent magnitude: 4.06
Distance: 270.9 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 113.981° · Dec 26.896°
Catalogue: HIP 36962 · HD 60522

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Other stars in Gemini

Gemini has 74 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 74 stars in Gemini