Magnitude 3.791 Apparent magnitude (V) 3.791 | Constellation Gemini | |
Similar Tau Geminorum, Mu Geminorum, Delta Geminorum, Eta Geminorum, Zeta Geminorum | ||
A short visit to iota geminorum iv
Iota Geminorum (ι Gem, ι Geminorum) is a solitary fourth-magnitude star in the constellation Gemini. In the sky, it forms an isosceles triangle with Castor and Pollux, and is located less than a degree from the 5th magnitude stars 64 and 65 Geminorum. It is called by the proper name Propus, meaning "forefoot" in Latin.
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In Chinese, 五諸侯 (Wu Zhū Hóu), meaning Five Feudal Kings, refers to an asterism consisting of ι Geminorum, θ Geminorum, τ Geminorum, υ Geminorum and φ Geminorum. Consequently, ι Geminorum itself is known as 五諸侯三 (Wu Zhū Hóu sān, English: the Third Star of Five Feudal Kings.).
Properties
Based upon an annual parallax shift of 27.10 mass, Iota Geminorum lies some 120.4 light years from the Sun. This is an evolved red clump giant star with a stellar classification of G9 III. It is most likely a member of the galactic thin disk population. The star has 1.89 times the mass of the Sun, but has expanded to 10 times the solar radius. It shines with 48 times the Sun's luminosity from its outer atmosphere at an effective temperature of 4,753 K.
Mythology
In certain tribes along the shores of the Arabian sea that speak languages influenced heavily by Mesopotamia, Iota Geminorum appears in oral traditions as Saritcha. It symbolizes companionship, clearly influenced by either Greek or Babylonian mythology. In one of the Lurs epic, the princess promises her beloved eternal love and companionship under Saritcha's watchful and approving gaze.
In Star Trek canon, the fourth planet orbiting Iota Geminorum is the homeworld of the Tribbles.