WY Geminorum is a binary star system in the northern constellation of Gemini, abbreviated WY Gem. It has an apparent visual magnitude that ranges from 7.26 down to 7.51,[4] which is too faint to be readily viewed with the naked eye. This system is located at a distance of approximately 6,300 light years from the Sun based on parallax measurements, and is receding with a radial velocity of 19.5 km/s.[7]
This is a double-lined spectroscopic binary star system with an approximate orbital period of 64.48 ± 0.68 years and a high eccentricity (ovalness) of 0.61. The primary component is an M-type supergiant star with a stellar classification of M2Ia or b. The companion is most likely a hotter B-type main-sequence star with a class of B2V.[5] The pair are classified as a VV Cephei-type star system. The companion may be accreting matter from the supergiant around the time of periastron passage, resulting in the formation of an intermittent accretion disk orbiting the hotter star.[5]Radio emission has been detected, which is most likely coming from an ionized region in the stellar wind of the supergiant.[16]
^ abcdLeedjaerv, Laurits (October 1998), "A spectroscopic study of the long-period binary star WY Geminorum", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 338: 139–150, Bibcode:1998A&A...338..139L.
^Swings, P.; Struve, O. (May 1941), "The Emission Lines in the Spectra of B 1985 and WY Geminorum", Astrophysical Journal, 93: 455, Bibcode:1941ApJ....93..455S, doi:10.1086/144287.
^Martini, A. (1969), "The spectrum of W Y Gem in the years 1967-68", Memorie della Società Astronomia Italiana, 40: 25, Bibcode:1969MmSAI..40...25M.
^Cowley, Anne (April 1970), "WY Geminorum-An Eclipsing System?", Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 82 (485): 329, Bibcode:1970PASP...82..329C, doi:10.1086/128912.
^Buzzoni, A. (November 1981), "WY Gem: a new semi-regular variable with a period of 169 days", GEOS Circular on Semi-Regular Variables, SR 2, Bibcode:1981GEOCS...2.....B.