Gem 31Xi Gem

Alzirr is a relatively nearby star within the Gem constellation, designated as a magnitude 3.246. Its distance from Earth is around 60.19 light-years, placing it comfortably within reach of telescopes. Alzirr doesn’t exhibit particularly complex stellar characteristics, lacking known spectral characteristics or a noticeable colour. It’s consistently identified as a relatively bright star in its region of the sky. The star’s precise classification reveals it to be a yellow-white dwarf.

Given its prominent position within the Gem constellation, Alzirr has garnered symbolic weight, inspiring associations with brightness and continuity. Many observers attribute its visibility to the intense and long-lasting nature of its stellar lifespan – a persistent beacon compared to neighboring stars with shorter lifetimes and weaker brilliance. As such, the association with enduring light might be linked to the desire to encapsulate something enduring within the celestial sphere - a hope for memory, perhaps.

Alzirr’s relative position within our galaxy suggests it’s one of a handful of stars of sufficient size to contribute to the galactic field of view. Given its relatively diminutive size, its presence would not be particularly conspicuous to the naked eye. The star's designation – 31Xi Gem – confirms a specific spatial arrangement of the constellation.

How to see it

Alzirr has a visual magnitude of about 3.25: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Alzirr: right ascension 6h 45m 17s, declination +12° 53′ 41″ (J2000), in the region of the Gemini constellation (IAU figure Gem).

Gemini — Explore by constellation

Catalog context

Alzirr. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 31Xi Gem, HIP 32362, HD 48737, Gaia DR3 3352485999058854912. In the SkyKeepsake Gemini (Gem) browse hub it sits with other stars of the same IAU figure.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 3352485999058854912

HIP

32362

HD

48737

gaia_dr3

3352485999058854912

Bayer / Flamsteed

31Xi Gem

Also known as

• 31Xi Gem
• Gaia DR3 TOP 5M 3352485999058854912
• Gl 242
• HD 48737
• HIP 32362

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

3.25