Gemini Constellations According to Greek mythology, the mother of the Gemini constellation was named Leda. Zeus,was the Roman equivalent of Jupiter, conceived Pollux by seducing Leda while in the guise of a swan. After that, Pollux had immortality as his father.
Castor, on the other hand, belonged to the mortal realm. His biological father was Tyndareus, who had sexual contact with Leda on the same night.
It was said that Leda gave birth to four babies at once. Pollux and Helen, are better known as Helen of Troy, were Zeus’ children; Castor and Clytemnestra were Tyndareus’ mortal children.Castor and Clytemnestra were the parents of Helen.
Castor was a skilled equestrian. And boxing was Pollux’s chosen sport. They participated in Jason’s search for the Golden Fleece by sailing aboard the Argo. While he was on his journey he was knocked out by Idas during their fight, and Pollux was so distraught by Castor’s death that he begged Zeus to let him perish as well.
After being moved by his son’s commitment, Zeus decided to honour both of them by placing them in the heavens as the constellation Gemini.
The Gemini constellations can be found directly above and to the left of the Orion constellation. Castor and Pollux are the two stars that represent the heads of the twins that make up the zodiac constellation. Pollux shines with a more brilliant brightness than Castor.
He is a solitary, orange-yellow star, whereas Castor is actually composed of six stars in three pairs. Pollux being the brighter of the two.
A star cluster known as M35 can be seen in the vicinity of Castor’s foot. The dim and far-off star cluster NGC 2158 can be found to the southwest of M35. Left of Pollux is where you’ll find NGC 2392, often known as the Clown Face Nebula. It has a bluish-green coloration.
Viewing The Gemini Constellations
Right Ascension: 7 hours
Declination: 20 degrees
Visible between latitudes 90 and -60 degrees
Best seen in February (at 9:00 PM)
Some stars in the constellation are: CASTOR (Alpha Gem) POLLUX (Beta Gem) ALHENA (Gamma Gem)
Telescope Viewing
When using a tiny telescope, it can be challenging to disentangle the primary pair of Castor A and B. To resolve them with a smaller telescope, you need to have good optics, a high power, clear skies, and patience.
When viewed with binoculars, Messier 35 seems to be a fuzzy patch; however, it may be resolved very well using an astronomy telescope.
NGC 2158 is a compact star cluster that is located approximately 16,000 light years away. It is so far away that it cannot be resolved by a telescope with a diameter of 6 inches.
Clyde Tombaugh made the discovery of the minor planet Pluto in the constellation Gemini in the year 1930. Gemini is also the name of the constellation.
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