Alhena. A bright and distinctive star within the Gem constellation, situated at RA 99.4279°, Dec 16.3993°, and a visual magnitude of 1.93. It is a significant part of the Milky Way, identified through the Gaia HYG-HIP-31681 data, as the ‘24Gam Gem’ alias.
Alhena’s recognisable features primarily lie in its relationship to the nearby Sirius. Sirius is widely recognized as the brightest star in the night sky, an easily observable beacon for early navigators and observers. Alhena is known for its complex arrangement of star clusters and its unique orbital path relative to other stars in the Gem constellation, making it a visual phenomenon in its own right. It doesn’t possess distinct physical properties suggesting a particular color or spectral type, though its apparent brightness warrants observation.
Individuals might choose Alhena for a symbolic meaning, embodying a sense of ancient mystery and the vastness of space. It serves as a point of convergence of constellations, linking distant parts of the Milky Way. A seemingly simple celestial object, Alhena represents a crucial role in a broader astronomical context – a foundational component of the grand galactic network.
How to see it
Alhena has a visual magnitude of about 1.93: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.
Sky position
Equatorial coordinates for Alhena: right ascension 6h 37m 43s, declination +16° 23′ 57″ (J2000), in the region of the Gemini constellation (IAU figure Gem).
Catalog context
Alhena. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 24Gam Gem, HIP 31681, HD 47105, Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-31681. In the SkyKeepsake Gemini (Gem) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.
Catalog identifiers
- Gaia
- Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-31681
- HIP
- 31681
- HD
- 47105
- gaia_dr3
- HYG-HIP-31681
- Bayer / Flamsteed
- 24Gam Gem
Also known as
- 24Gam Gem
- Gaia DR3 TOP 5M HYG-HIP-31681
- HD 47105
- HIP 31681
- HYG-HIP-31681
Observed properties
- Visual magnitude
- 1.93