Eta Geminorum

Eta Geminorum
Location of η Geminorum (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Gemini
A
Right ascension 06h 14m 52.657s
Declination +22° 30 24.48
Apparent magnitude (V) 3.1  3.7
B
Right ascension 06h 14m 52.569s
Declination +22° 30 24.31
Apparent magnitude (V) 6.04
Characteristics
Spectral type M2 IIIa (Aa)
A (Ab)
G0 III (B)
Variable type SRa + EA
Astrometry
Proper motion (μ) RA: −59.530±1.450 mas/yr
Dec.: −7.766±1.385 mas/yr
Parallax (π)8.48±1.23 mas
Distanceapprox. 380 ly
(approx. 120 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−1.87
Orbit
PrimaryAa
CompanionAb
Period (P)8.161 yr
Semi-major axis (a)0.077″
Eccentricity (e)0.5507
Periastron epoch (T)JD 2444489.1
Argument of periastron (ω)
(primary)
174.20°
Semi-amplitude (K1)
(primary)
9.438 km/s
Orbit
PrimaryA
CompanionB
Period (P)473.7 yr
Semi-major axis (a)1.08″
Eccentricity (e)0.54
Details
Aa
Mass5.1 M
Radius275+49
66
 R
Luminosity10,276±4,445 L
Temperature3,502 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]+0.04 dex
Age0.81 Gyr
Ab
Mass2 M
Radius1.65 R
Luminosity16 L
Temperature9,000 K
Other designations
Propus, Praepes, Tejat Prior, Pish Pai, η Geminorum, 7 Geminorum, HD 42995, HR 2216, BD+22°1241, HIP 29655, SAO 78135, CCDM J06149+2230, ADS 4841
Database references
SIMBADdata

Eta Geminorum (η Geminorum, abbreviated Eta Gem, η Gem), formally named Propus /ˈprpəs/, is a triple star system in the constellation of Gemini. It is a variable star visible to the naked eye, around 380 light years from the Sun. The position of this system near the ecliptic means it is subject to lunar occultation.