Star profile

81 Geminorum

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

What is 81 Geminorum

81 Geminorum is a K-type orange giant glowing about 339 light-years away, set within the bodies of the celestial twins Castor and Pollux. It belongs to the generation of stars that have left stable youth behind and swollen as their core hydrogen ran out. In the classical outline of Gemini it holds a quiet position, well off the two main beacons but steady in its own corner.

Where it is and when to see it

81 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 57° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 68° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 38° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 71° S.

It ranks no. 24 in brightness among the 74 stars of Gemini in our catalogue. To find it, start from Pollux, the brightest: it lies about 10° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 340 years ago.

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Astronomical data for 81 Geminorum

Constellation: Gemini
Apparent magnitude: 4.89
Distance: 339.4 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 116.531° · Dec 18.510°
Catalogue: HIP 37908 · HD 62721

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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