Orange star · Gemini

Mebsuta

Also known as: ε Geminorum (ε Gem), HIP 32246

mag 3.1850 light-years

About

Mebsuta (ε Geminorum) is an orange star of magnitude 3.1 in Gemini, about 850 light-years away.

Mebsuta 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 55° 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	Mebsuta
Designation	ε Geminorum (ε Gem)
Hipparcos number	HIP 32246
Type	Orange star
Spectral type	A3mA6-A9
Colour	OrangeB−V colour index 1.38
Magnitude	3.1The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	850 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1180.
Proper motion	0.014″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Gemini
Right ascension (J2000)	06h 43m 55.9s
Declination (J2000)	+25° 07′ 52″