Gemini (constellation): Difference between revisions
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==Visualizations== |
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[[Image:Geminiurania.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Gemini as depicted in [http://www.ianridpath.com/atlases/urania.htm Urania's Mirror], a set of constellation cards published in London c.1825.]] |
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[[Image:Gemini constellation map visualization 1.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Diagram of [[H.A. Rey]]'s alternative way to connect the stars of the constellation Gemini. A pair of twins are shown holding hands.]] |
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Gemini is dominated by [[Castor (star)|Castor]] and [[Pollux (star)|Pollux]], two bright stars that appear relatively close together, encouraging the mythological link between the constellation and twinship. The twin to the right is [[Castor]], whose brightest star is [[α Geminorum]] (more commonly called Castor), is of the second magnitude, and represents Castor's head. The twin to the left is [[Pollux]], whose brightest star is [[β Geminorum]] (more commonly called Pollux), is of the first magnitude, and represents Pollux's head. Furthermore, the other stars can be visualized as two parallel lines descending from the two main stars, making it look like two figures. |
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[[H.A. Rey]] has suggested an alternative to the traditional visualization that connected the stars of Gemini to show a pair of twins holding hands. Pollux's torso is represented by star [[Upsilon Geminorum|υ Geminorum]], Pollux's right hand by [[Iota Geminorum|ι Geminorum]], Pollux's left hand by [[Kappa Geminorum|κ Geminorum]]: all three of these stars are of the fourth magnitude. Pollux's pelvis is represented by star [[Delta Geminorum|δ Geminorum]], Pollux's right knee by [[Zeta Geminorum|ζ Geminorum]], Pollux's right foot by [[Gamma Geminorum|γ Geminorum]], Pollux's left knee by [[Lambda Geminorum|λ Geminorum]], and Pollux's left foot by [[Xi Geminorum|ξ Geminorum]]. Gamma Geminorum is of the second magnitude, while delta and xi Geminorum are of the third magnitude. Castor's torso is represented by the star [[Tau Geminorum|τ Geminorum]], Castor's left hand by [[Iota Geminorum|ι Geminorum]] (which he shares with Pollux), Castor's right hand by [[Theta Geminoroum|θ Geminorum]]: all three of these stars are of the fourth magnitude. Castor's pelvis is represented by the star [[Epsilon Geminorum|ε Geminorum]], Castor's left foot by [[Nu Geminorum|ν Geminorum]], and Castor's right foot by [[Mu Geminorum|μ Geminorum]] and [[Eta Geminorum|η Geminorum]]: ε, μ, and η Geminorum are of the third magnitude. |
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==Mythology== |
==Mythology== |
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Revision as of 16:48, 1 October 2009
| Constellation | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | Gem |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Geminorum |
| Pronunciation | /ˈdʒɛmɨnaɪ/, genitive /ˌdʒɛmɨˈnɒrəm/ |
| Right ascension | 7 |
| Declination | +20 |
| Area | 514 sq. deg. (30th) |
| Main stars | 8, 17 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 80 |
| Stars with planets | 3 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 4 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 1 |
| Brightest star | Pollux (β Gem) (1.1m) |
| Messier objects | 1 |
| Meteor showers | Geminids Rho Geminids |
| Bordering constellations | Lynx Auriga Taurus Orion Monoceros Canis Minor Cancer |
| Visible at latitudes between +90° and −60°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of February. | |
Gemini is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for "twins", and it is associated with the twins Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology. Its symbol is 
(Unicode ♊). It lies between Taurus to the west and the dim Cancer to the east, with Auriga and Lynx to the north and Monoceros and Canis Minor to the south.
gay
land of fags
Mythology
Gemini was associated with the myth of Castor and Pollux, collectively known as the Dioscuri. One myth of these twins concerns cattle theft, and may be connected to early myths that described the Milky Way as a herd of dairy cows.[citation needed] On star maps, the twins are usually viewed as leaning away from the Milky Way, but are sometimes depicted with one of the twins residing in the Milky Way, and the other outside it, a situation making it appear that one of the twins is stealing the cattle, and the other is observing.[citation needed] Along with the other features of the area in the Zodiac sign of Gemini (i.e. Orion, Auriga, and Canis Major), this may be the origin of the myth of the cattle of Geryon, which forms one of The Twelve Labours of Heracles.[original research?]
Astrology
As of 2008[update], the Sun appears in the constellation Gemini from June 20 to July 20. In tropical astrology, the Sun is considered to be in the sign Gemini from May 22 to June 23, and in sidereal astrology, from June 16 to July 15.
See also
- Messier 35 open cluster
- Geminga, Gemini gamma-ray source
References
- H. A. Rey, The Stars — A New Way To See Them. Enlarged World-Wide Edition. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1997. ISBN 0-395-24830-2.
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
External links
- The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Gemini
- The clickable Gemini
- wikisky.org: Gemini constellation
- Star Tales – Gemini
