Star profile

Tegmine

Zeta 2 Cancri · Cancer

3D likeness based on its real data · class G · ~5,500 K

What is Tegmine

Tegmine is one of the components of Zeta Cancri, a multiple system in Cancer just 81 light-years away. Its name comes from the Latin «tegmen», meaning «shell», in reference to the carapace of the zodiacal crustacean. A yellow star much like the Sun, it is caught in an orbital dance with two companions invisible to the naked eye but essential for understanding its restless nature.

Where it is and when to see it

Tegmine 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 56° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 67° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 38° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 72° S.

It ranks no. 6 in brightness among the 49 stars of Cancer in our catalogue. To find it, start from Tarf, the brightest: it lies about 9° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 82 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

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Leave your signature on Tegmine

Your name and a message go up on the map for everyone to read. Signing is free.

Without a lock, someone else can replace your signature. How the lock works

We'll ask for an email to confirm it's you, no password.

Write my signature

A public signature from a real person. The chosen name is a symbolic denomination within Stelvia, with no official standing or IAU recognition: the sky is not for sale and belongs to no one.

Astronomical data for Tegmine

Constellation: Cancer
Apparent magnitude: 4.67
Distance: 81.8 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 123.053° · Dec 17.648°
Catalogue: HIP 40167 · HD 68255

A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.

Other stars in Cancer

Cancer has 49 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 49 stars in Cancer