FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Kappa Gemini

["Joseph R. Goss" <apachejo@xxxxxxx>]

So there is really some thing in Steve's head.................Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Skiff" <bas@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 9:25 PM
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Kappa Gemini


>>>  ...colors of the two stars as light yellow and AQUA--honest!!
>>>  ...I don't have the actual spectrum, but I will try and find it.
>
>     I'm not absolutely sure, but I think there is no spectral type
> available for the companion.  However, kappa Gem is G8III (G8 giant),
> in fact a standard of this spectral type.  The companion is shown in
> several places as being between 5.5 and 6 magnitudes fainter than
> the primary.  This means it must be an early-K dwarf, and thus
> actually has almost identical B-V color as the giant.  So the color
> difference you see is essentially entirely physiological, and with
> the large brightness-difference, the pale-blue color of the fainter
> star is exactly what you expect, in the sense that this is the common
> impression.  Very convincing, and I've seen it on hundreds of pairs,
> but it exists only inside your head.
>
> \Brian
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