Gemini, the constellation of the Twins
Most individuals see the constellation Gemini as simply two brilliant stars – Castor and Pollux – typically referred to as the Gemini twins. These two stars aren’t actually twins. Pollux is brighter and extra golden in colour. Castor is barely fainter and white. However each stars are brilliant, and so they’re noticeable for being shut collectively on the sky’s dome. From time immemorial, individuals have thought they seemed like brother stars.
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Finest viewing for this constellation
January, February and March are nice for observing these stars. Then Gemini is nicely up within the east at dusk. In early February, Gemini climbs highest within the sky round 10 p.m. native time. In late February, the constellation is highest round 9 p.m. That’s native time, the time in your clock, irrespective of the place you reside across the globe.
Gemini stays in view within the night sky till round Might. By late Might and June, Gemini is discovered low within the west at dusk, and Gemini’s two brightest stars – Castor and Pollux – fade into the sundown earlier than the June 21 summer season solstice. The sun yearly passes in entrance of Gemini from about June 21 till July 20.
Myths and lore
In skylore, Castor and Pollux had been the sons of a mortal mom, Leda. Castor was the mortal brother, son of Tyndareus, and Pollux the immortal brother, son of Zeus. Castor and Pollux had been joyfully united in spirit, but sorrowfully divided by circumstance. When Castor was slain in battle, Pollux was inconsolable and begged Zeus to alleviate him of the bonds of immortality. Zeus granted his request, and, to this day, Pollux and Castor stand reunited within the heavens, a tribute to the redemptive energy of cohesion.
Thus, the Greek fable of Castor and Pollux explores the inherit duality of life, of mortality and immortality without end intertwined.
Tips on how to discover Gemini from Orion
For those who can select only one noticeable sky sample within the February night time sky, it’s most likely the constellation Orion the Hunter. On February evenings, from the Northern Hemisphere, Orion is excessive within the south.
Orion is noticeable for its Belt stars, a brief, straight row of three medium-bright stars. Look under Orion’s Belt for the very brilliant blue-white star Rigel. Now look above Orion’s Belt for the reddish star Betelgeuse. You possibly can draw an imaginary line from Rigel by Betelgeuse to find Castor and Pollux. Bear in mind, you’ll be in search of two brilliant stars which are noticeably shut collectively.
Tips on how to discover Gemini utilizing the Huge Dipper
The Big Dipper is an asterism, not a real constellation, however a really clear dipper-shaped sample of stars. The Huge Dipper is all the time situated usually northward on the sky’s dome. Draw an imaginary line diagonally by the bowl of the Huge Dipper, from the star Megrez by the star Merak. You’re going within the route reverse of the Huge Dipper deal with. This line will level to Castor and Pollux.
Or use the moon to search out Gemini
Because the moon swings full circle by the constellations of the zodiac, it passes by Gemini for a number of days every month. Examine EarthSky Tonight – particularly within the months of January, February and March – for posts exhibiting you the moon close to Castor and Pollux on particular dates.
Or mess around with the web planetarium program, Stellarium. It might probably present you when the moon strikes by Gemini each month (besides throughout these months when Gemini is behind the sun).
Recognizing Sirius when Gemini is excessive within the sky
By the best way, Gemini and nighttime’s brightest star, Sirius, attain their highest factors within the sky at roughly the identical time. At center latitudes within the Northern Hemisphere, we see Gemini’s brightest stars, Castor and Pollux, almost overhead whereas Sirius sparkles fairly low in our southern sky. (Sirius is all the time pretty low within the sky of northerners.) South of the equator, it’s the other: Sirius shines method up excessive whereas Gemini sits low within the northern sky.
Backside line: The constellation of Gemini the Twins is house to Castor and Pollux. Study extra about these brilliant stars, which you’ll be able to see on northern winter nights.
Meet Taurus the Bull in the evening sky
Gemini the Twins, home to 2 bright stars
Meet Cancer the Crab and its Beehive Cluster
Leo the Lion and its backward question mark
Virgo the Maiden in northern spring skies
Meet Libra the Scales, a zodiacal constellation
Scorpius? Here’s your contellation
Sagittarius? Here’s your constellation
Capricornus the Sea-goat has an arrowhead shape
Aquarius? Here’s your constellation
Meet Pisces the Fish, 1st constellation of the zodiac
Say hello to Aries the Ram
Born under the sign of Ophiuchus?
