Alhena is the γ star in the constellation of Gemini
Gamma Geminorum (γ Gem / γ Geminorum) is a star in the constellationGemini. It also has traditional names Alhena and Almeisan. This is a celestial map of the constellation Gemnini, the Twins. ... This is a celestial map of the constellation Gemnini, the Twins. ... The Pleiades star cluster A star is a massive body of plasma in outer space which is currently or has in the past produced energy through nuclear fusion. ...-1... In mythology, the Gemini are Castor and Polydeuces. ...
Alhena is 105 light years distant from Earth, and has an apparent magnitude of 1.93 (absolute magnitude −0.7) and belongs to the spectral class A0. A light year, abbreviated ly, is the distance light travels in one year: roughly 9. ... The apparent magnitude (m) of a star, planet or other heavenly body is a measure of its apparent brightness; that is, the amount of light received from the object. ... In astronomy, absolute magnitude is the apparent magnitude, m, an object would have if it were at a standardized distance away. ... In astronomy, stellar classification is a classification of stars based initially on photospheric temperature and its associated spectral characteristics, and subsequenly refined in terms of other characteristics. ...
Pollux's pelvis is represented by star delta Geminorum, Pollux's right knee by zeta Geminorum, Pollux's right foot by gammaGeminorum, Pollux's left knee by lambda Geminorum, and Pollux's left foot by xi Geminorum.
GammaGeminorum is of the second magnitude, while delta and xi Geminorum are of the third magnitude.
Castor's torso is represented by the star tau Geminorum, Castor's left hand by iota Geminorum (which he shares with Pollux), Castor's right hand by theta Geminorum: all three of these stars are of the fourth magnitude.
Alpha Geminorum (Castor) is, at magnitude 1.59 the 23rd brightest star in the sky, and is properly referred to as being of the second magnitude as astronomers consider a first magnitude to be from 0.5 to +1.5 - Castor barely falls short.
Beta Geminorum (Pollux) is actually the brightest star in Gemini (and the 17th brightest in the sky), although Castor was labeled Alpha.
Xi Geminorum (Alzirr) is a fairly bright star, of magnitude 3.38, and is noteworthy primarily because you may notice it four degrees southwest of second magnitude Alhena.
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