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Elnath

Alnath, Nath, Beta Tauri, Gamma Aurigae, 112 Tauri

Proper NamesElnath, Alnath, Nath
Bayer DesignationsBeta Tauri, Gamma Aurigae
Flamsteed Number112 Tauri
HR (BSC)1791
HD35497
ConstellationTaurus
Right Ascension5h 26m 18s
Declination+28° 36' 27"
Distance134 light years
41 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +1.7
Absolute: -1.4
Spectral ClassB7III blue giant
Optimum VisibilityDecember / January
NotesOne of only two stars in the sky that are shared between two constellations, Elnath lies on the border between Taurus and Auriga, and is considered to belong to both groups of stars. The only other example of this phenomenon is Alpheratz or Alpha Andromedae, which is shared between Andromeda and Pegasus (and indeed forms one corner of the Square of Pegasus).

Elnath is a blue giant 134 light years from the Earth. It lies at the tip of Taurus' northern 'horn', on the very edge of Taurus' border with Auriga, just one thirtieth of a degree within the boundaries of the Bull. Indeed, as well as its more common Bayer designation of 'Beta Tauri', the star is also occasionally classified as 'Gamma Aurigae'.

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