Red giant · Gemini

Tejat

Also known as: μ Geminorum (μ Gem), HIP 30343

mag 2.9230 light-years

About

Tejat (μ Geminorum) is a red giant of magnitude 2.9 in Gemini, about 230 light-years away.

Tejat is in the constellation Gemini.
Best evenings: around early 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 57° 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.

EyesEasy, even from town.
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	Tejat
Designation	μ Geminorum (μ Gem)
Hipparcos number	HIP 30343
Type	Red giant
Spectral type	M3IIIvar
Colour	Orange-redB−V colour index 1.62
Magnitude	2.9The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	230 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1790.
Proper motion	0.12″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Gemini
Right ascension (J2000)	06h 22m 57.6s
Declination (J2000)	+22° 30′ 49″