- Epsilon Geminorum
-
ε Geminorum 
Location of ε Geminorum (upper right of center).Observation data
Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000Constellation Gemini Right ascension 06h 43m 55.93s Declination +25° 07′ 52.2″ Apparent magnitude (V) +3.06 Characteristics Spectral type G5 Details Radius 150 R☉ Epsilon Geminorum (ε Gem, ε Geminorum) is a star in the constellation of Gemini. It has the traditional name Mebsuta (also Melboula or Melucta).
The name Mebsuta has its roots in ancient Arabic, where it and the star Mekbuda (Zeta Geminorum) were the paws of a lion. Mebsuta comes from a phrase referring to the outstretched paw.
In Chinese, 井宿 (Jǐng Su), meaning Well (asterism), refers to an asterism consisting of ε Geminorum, μ Geminorum, ν Geminorum, γ Geminorum, ξ Geminorum, 36 Geminorum, ζ Geminorum and λ Geminorum.[1] Consequently, ε Geminorum itself is known as 井宿五 (Jǐng Su wǔ, English: the Fifth Star of Well.)[2]
Properties
It is located on the outstretched right "leg" of the twin Castor. It has an apparent magnitude of +3.06. It is approximately 900 light-years (280 pc) from earth, and is a supergiant of spectral class G5, with a diameter approximately 150 times that of the Sun.
Because Epsilon Geminorum is near the ecliptic it can be occulted by the Moon and, rarely, by a planet. The last occlusion by a planet took place on 8 April 1976 by Mars and before that on 10 June 1940 by Mercury.
Namesakes
USS Melucta (AK-131) was a United States Navy Crater class cargo ship named after the star.
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.
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:- Bayer objects
- Gemini constellation
- Stars with proper names
- Star stubs
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
