Geminga

Geminga

Geminga as seen by Chandra and Spitzer
Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PSU/B. Posselt et al; Infrared: NASA/JPL–Caltech
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Gemini
Right ascension 06h 33m 54.15s
Declination +17° 46′ 12.9″
Apparent magnitude (V) 25.5
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage Pulsar
Astrometry
Distance815 ly
(250+120
−62[1] pc)
Details
Age342,000 years
Other designations
SN 437, PSR B0633+17, PSR J0633+1746
Database references
SIMBADdata

Geminga /ɡəˈmɪŋɡə/ is a gamma ray and x-ray pulsar source thought to be a neutron star approximately 250 parsecs[1] (around 800 light-years) from the Sun in the constellation Gemini.

Its name, attributed by its discoverer Giovanni Bignami, is both a contraction of Gemini gamma-ray source, and a transcription of the words ghè minga (pronounced [ɡɛ ˈmĩːɡa]), meaning "it's not there" in the Milanese dialect of Lombard.[2] The name was approved by the International Astronomic Union on 4 April 2022.[3]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Faherty 2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Bignami, G. F.; et al. (September 1983). "An identification for 'Geminga' (2CG 195+04) 1E 0630+178 – A unique object in the error box of the high-energy gamma-ray source". Astrophysical Journal. 272: L9–L13. Bibcode:1983ApJ...272L...9B. doi:10.1086/184107.
  3. ^ "Naming Stars".