Kappa Geminorum

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Kappa Geminorum
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Gemini
Right ascension 7h 44m 26.8s
Declination 24° 23' 53"
Apparent magnitude (V) 3.57[1]
Distance 143 ly
(43.87 pc)
Spectral type G8 IIIa[1]
Other designations
77 Geminorum, HD 62345, HR 2985, SAO 79653, FK5 294, NSV --, BD +24 1759, HIP 33740

Kappa Geminorum (κ Gem, κ Geminorum) is a Class G8, fourth-magnitude star in the constellation Gemini. It is a multiple star system located about 140 light-years from Earth. This star is radiating about 78 times the luminosity of the Sun.[1] Since 1943, the spectrum of this star has served as one of the stable anchor points by which other stars are classified.[2]

In Chinese astronomy, Kappa Geminorum is called 積薪, Pinyin: Jīxīn, meaning Pile of Firewood, because this star is marking itself and stand alone in Pile of Firewood asterism, Well mansion (see : Chinese constellation).[3] 積薪 (Jīxīn) westernized into Tseih Tsing, but the name Tseih Tsing was designated for χ Gem and μ Cnc by R.H. Allen, with the meaning is "piled-up fuel"[4] In Japanese, 隆博星 (Takahiro-boshi), meaning "Esteemed Nobilty Star," refers to the Japanese description of κ Geminorum.

References

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  3. (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 7 月 16 日
  4. Richard Hinckley Allen: Star Names — Their Lore and Meaning: Gemini

External links

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