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Zeta Geminorum (ζ Gem / ζ Geminorum) is a star in the constellation Gemini. It also has the traditional name Mekbuda. It is located on the outstretched left "leg" of the twin Pollux. It is a Cepheid variable star and as such has a variable apparent magnitude of +3.7 to +4.2, with period of approximately 10.2 days. The star is approximately 1200 light years from Earth. Mekbuda is a supergiant. The name Mekbuda has roots in ancient Arabic where it and the star Mebsuta (Epsilon Geminorum) were the paws of a lion. Mekbuda comes from a phrase meaning the lion's folded paw.
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