Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Alhena
white · Gemini · γ Gem
Dedicated to
Maya
by Her sister, June · August 12, 2026
“You were born on the brightest night of my life. Whenever you feel small, remember: there is a star that has carried your name since before you could read it — and it is still up there, still burning, still yours.”
This dedication
- Dedicated to
- Maya
- Dedicated by
- Her sister, June
- Recorded
- August 12, 2026
- Held until
- August 12, 2027
When this dedication ends, Alhena becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
Alhena at a glance
- Constellation
- Gemini
- Other name
- γ Gem
- Catalogue number
- HIP 31681
- Distance
- ≈ 105 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 1.93 naked-eye
- Star type
- A1 IV
- Colour
- white
- Best seen from
- Almost everywhere on Earth
- Right ascension
- 06h 37m 42s
- Declination
- +16° 23′ 57″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
Where can you see Alhena?
It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.
Alhena belongs to Gemini.
Frequently asked questions about Alhena
- Is Alhena the brightest star?
- Alhena shines at magnitude 1.93 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Alhena?
- Alhena is approximately 105 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 105 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Alhena?
- Alhena is part of Gemini.
- Can everyone see Alhena?
- It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.
- Is dedicating Alhena an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Alhena keeps its internationally recognised astronomical name. An AsterNym dedication records your personal name and message in the AsterNym registry without changing the star's scientific identity.