Yellow-white subgiant · Gemini

Alzirr

Also known as: ξ Geminorum (ξ Gem), HIP 32362

mag 3.459 light-years

About

Alzirr (ξ Geminorum) is a yellow-white subgiant of magnitude 3.4 in Gemini, about 59 light-years away.

Alzirr is in the constellation Gemini.
Best evenings: around mid-February it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 67° S.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesVisible from the suburbs on a clear night, but lost in bright city skies.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Alzirr
Designation	ξ Geminorum (ξ Gem)
Hipparcos number	HIP 32362
Type	Yellow-white subgiant
Spectral type	F5IV
Colour	Yellowish whiteB−V colour index 0.44
Magnitude	3.4The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	59 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1967.
Proper motion	0.22″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Gemini
Right ascension (J2000)	06h 45m 17.4s
Declination (J2000)	+12° 53′ 44″