- Zeta Geminorum
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Zeta Geminorum Observation data
Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000Constellation Gemini Right ascension 07h 04m 06.5s Declination +20° 34′ 13.1″ Apparent magnitude (V) 3.7 to 4.2 Characteristics Spectral type G0Ibv B−V color index 0.88 Variable type Classical Cepheid Astrometry Radial velocity (Rv) 6.7 km/s Proper motion (μ) RA: −5.72 ±0.82 mas/yr
Dec.: −0.96 ±0.58 mas/yrParallax (π) 2.79 ± 0.81 mas Distance approx. 1200 ly
(approx. 400 pc)Details Temperature 5,300 to 5,800 K Other designations Zeta Geminorum (ζ Gem, ζ Geminorum) is a star in the constellation Gemini. It has the traditional name Mekbuda.
The name Mekbuda has roots in ancient Arabic where it and the star Mebsuta (Epsilon Geminorum) were the paws of a lion. Mekbuda comes from a phrase meaning the lion's folded paw.
In Chinese, 井宿 (Jǐng Su), meaning Well (asterism), refers to an asterism consisting of ζ Geminorum, μ Geminorum, γ Geminorum, ν Geminorum, ξ Geminorum, ε Geminorum, 36 Geminorum and λ Geminorum.[1] Consequently, ζ Geminorum itself is known as 井宿七 (Jǐng Su qī, English: the Seventh Star of Well.)[2]
Structure
It is located on the outstretched left "leg" of the twin Pollux. It is a Cepheid variable star and as such has a variable apparent magnitude of +3.7 to +4.2, with period of approximately 10.2 days. The star is approximately 1200 light years from Earth. Mekbuda is a supergiant.
References
- ^ (Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 978-986-7332-25-7.
- ^ (Chinese) 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
External links
Bayer α (Castor) • β (Pollux) • γ (Alhena) • δ (Wasat) • ε (Mebsuta) • ζ (Mekbuda) • η (Tejat Prior) • θ • ι • κ • λ • μ (Tejat Posterior) • ν • ξ (Alzirr) • ο • π • ρ • σ • τ • υ • φ • χ • ω • b • c • d • e • f • g • AFlamsteed 1 (Propus) • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 (η, Tejat Prior) • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 (μ, Tejat Posterior) • 14 • 15 • 16 • 18 (ν) • 19 • 20 • 22 • 23 • 24 (γ, Alhena) • 25 • 26 • 27 (ε, Mebsuta) • 28 • 30 • 31 (ξ, Alzirr) • 32 • 33 • 34 (θ) • 35 • 36 (d) • 37 • 38 (e) • 39 • 40 • 41 • 42 (ω) • 43 (ζ, Mekbuda) • 44 • 45 • 46 (τ) • 47 • 48 • 49 • 51 • 52 • 53 • 54 (λ) • 55 (δ, Wasat) • 56 • 57 (A) • 58 • 59 • 60 (ι) • 61 • 62 (ρ) • 63 • 64 • 65 (b) • 66 (α, Castor) • 67 • 68 • 69 (υ) • 70 • 71 (ο) • 74 (f) • 75 (σ) • 76 (c) • 77 (κ) • 78 (β, Pollux) • 79 • 80 (π) • 81 (g) • 82 • 83 (φ) • 84 • 85 • 3 Lyn • 141 TauNearby Gliese 251 • GJ 1093 • Gl 232 • 2MASS 0727+1710Categories:- Variable star stubs
- Bayer objects
- Gemini constellation
- Cepheid variables
- F-type supergiants
- Stars with proper names
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