For many people, knowledge of the constellation Gemini is limited by the fact that it belongs to the zodiac class. Now scientists know most of the characteristics, celestial objects and other interesting things that are directly related to Gemini.

Gemini constellation position and map

The Gemini constellation occupies a fairly small area in space, if you monitor it from the Earth. In the sky, it covers only 515 square meters. degrees and is located in the second quadrant, visible from the northern part of the Earth. The cluster is located in latitudes from 60 to 90 degrees. Near the Gemini, the charioteers stretched out their borders: Auriga, Cancer, Small Dog, Orion, Lynx, Unicorn and Taurus.

Interesting fact: Gemini is only in 30th place in size, inferior in this parameter to many zodiac constellations.

The Gemini star map consists of the M 35 cluster, as well as seven luminaries around which the planets revolve. Between objects lie two meteor showers. The totality of these celestial bodies is best observed in the period from December 13 to 17, when they become most noticeable.

Characteristics of the constellation Gemini

As mentioned above, astronomers managed to well study this celestial object and identify fairly accurate parameters. The main characteristics of the Twins are as follows:

• in Latin, the constellation is called Gemini, and Gem is used to reduce it;
• the symbol is Gemini;
• right ascension occurs in the period from 5 hours 53 minutes to 8 hours 00 minutes;
• a celestial object has a declination ranging from +10 degrees to +35 degrees and 30 min;
• dimensions are 514 square degrees;
• in Gemini, five main stars are distinguished, which have the highest brightness compared to the rest: Mebsut (2.98 m); Teat Posterior (2.87 m), Alhena (1.93 m), Castor (1.59 m); Pollux (1.16 m);
• two meteor showers between stars are called Ro-Geminids and Geminids;
• next to Gemini are the constellations: Charioteer, Lynx, Taurus, Orion, Unicorn, Cancer and Lesser Dog.

These parameters help astronomers to easily find an object in the starry sky. The task is greatly simplified from December to January, when it has the highest brightness in the territory of European countries.

The myth of the constellation Gemini

Gemini, like most Greek constellations, have a connection with myths and are named after certain heroes of stories. This star cluster occupies an important place in the legends of the ancient Greeks.

The constellation is named after the brothers Polydeus and Castor. They were born of the wife of King Sparta Tyndareus - Queen Leda, and it is believed that Polydeus was the son of Zeus. God pretended to be a swan and charmed the girl. After a while, she gave birth to a son and a girl, the latter was given the name Elena, and later she will become a Trojan. Castor was the son of Tyndareus by blood and did not possess divine power.

The brothers grew up together and were on good terms. From youth, they were trained in martial arts, and Polydevk was an excellent fist fighter, and in hand-to-hand combat he had no equal. Castor stood out from the rest of the students in the possession of knives and could curb any horse.

Interesting fact: Castor was the teacher of young Hercules and helped him master the possession of the sword and other weapons.

The brothers quickly became excellent warriors and participated in many battles. They accompanied the Argonauts during the search for the Golden Fleece. And when Amikus, being the son of Poseidon, blocked their path, Polydeus came out against one of his soldiers and won without any problems, and the Argonauts got the opportunity to move on. Poseidon was impressed by the courage of the brothers and, in appreciation, gave them two white horses. Also since then, all navigation was given to them with ease.

At a certain point, Castor and Polydeus fell in love with the girls Hilayra and Phoebe. But it soon became clear that they were engaged to the twins Linceus and Idas. A scuffle ensued between the men. During it, Castor fell from the sword of Linceus, because he did not possess divine power. Polydeuvek avenged his brother, after which he was going to fight with another twin. But then Zeus intervened and struck Idas with lightning. Seeing that Castor could no longer be saved, the son of the Greek god asked to give him part of his immortality.

Zeus granted the request of Polydeus and sent the brothers to heaven, where they turned into a constellation known as Gemini. Ancient Greek astronomers painted them in such a way that the stars Pollux and Castor served as heads.

There is an opinion that other brothers are represented in the constellation - Hercules and Apollo, who are consolidated and also descended from Zeus. Ptolemy adhered to this version, however, there is no legend explaining their appearance in heaven.

The main stars of the constellation Gemini

The constellation Gemini consists of many stars, but among them they distinguish the main group:

1. Castor. The binary star, which is the alpha of the constellation and has an apparent magnitude of 1.58, making it the 44th brightest in the sky. More detailed studies have shown that Castor is a system consisting of four luminaries, the period of circulation of which is 467 years.
2. Pollux. Has the status of beta Gemini. It is an orange giant and is the brightest in the constellation. In size, nine times the size of the Sun. At the beginning of the XXI century, a planet was discovered, moving in orbit around Pollux, its size was 2.3 times larger than that of Jupiter.
3. Alchena. Considered to be the Gemini range, it is a white subgiant that is 3 times larger than the Sun and 123 times brighter. Since the star is located 109 light years away, it can be observed without special equipment.
4. Mebsut. It is an epsilon of the constellation. It is a super giant located at a distance of 840 light years and having a brightness eight and a half thousand times larger than that of the Sun.
5. Wasat. The constellation delta, a subgiant with a yellow glow. It has a brightness of 3.53 and is noticeable even to the naked eye.
6. Pass This Gemini, which is a triple star at a distance of 350 light years from the Sun. Some astronomers divide it into a double star and a white dwarf, which is influenced by the attraction of celestial objects.
7. Mu. A pulsating supergiant whose brightness gradually changes from 3.02 to 2.75, and vice versa. Located from Earth in 230 light years.

Although Gemini is well studied, astronomers periodically find new objects.

Famous objects of the constellation Gemini

Although Gemini cannot be considered a major constellation, it contains many interesting objects that have been observed by astronomers for a long time. All of them have a unique appearance and properties, the study of which helps to understand the principles of the structure of space.

Messier 35

It is a cluster of stars located at a distance of 2.8 thousand light years, its brightness is more than five units. Discovered by astronomer Jano de Chesault in the year 1745.

Interesting fact: Messier 35 is comparable in size to the Moon and occupies a rather large area in the sky.

The Eskimo Nebula

It is 2870 light-years distant from the Sun, in the center is a bright star. The luminary uses the gas in the nebula to form its own structure. Because of this, an object consists of several layers. In the center, a star shrouded in different clouds is clearly distinguishable. The nebula got its name because of its appearance. It may seem that in the center is the Eskimo’s face, wrapped in a round fur hood.

IC 443

Near the star Eta, about 15 thousand years ago, a supernova exploded, forming this nebula. It is located at a distance of 5 thousand light years from the solar system, and its size is 70 light years.Scientists believe that gas accumulation is a residual product and gradually disperses in space. But it will be a long time before it ceases to be visible.

Jellyfish nebula

On the border with the constellation Lesser Dog is a nebula with a reddish glow. Its length is four light years, but due to the low brightness, good equipment is required for observation. Jellyfish was discovered in 1955 by George Abell.

NGC 2371

The nebula has a rather strange shape: in the center there is a cluster with the planets inside. And at the edges there are two more small clots located at some distance.

Gemini constellation in the sky

The constellation belongs to the winter group, since it is from December to February that it is in the visible part of the sky. From the second half of autumn it can be seen on the eastern horizon, and from there for several months it travels a long way to the west, until it finally disappears from sight for more than six months.

To search, you can use Orion, located on the right, and Small Dog, located under the Twins. The most notable stars in the constellation are Pollux and Castor, which are easy to see even in amateur magnifying devices.

Sights of the constellation Gemini

For the eyes, the constellation is clearly distinguishable in the starry sky. If you look at the area where it is located, then without the use of special tools a person can see up to 70 stars, and about eight stars will be much brighter than the rest.

Interesting fact: many of the stars that make up Gemini also belong to the Milky Way and are an integral part of the galaxy.

Search for the constellation in the sky

Since Gemini is part of the zodiac constellations, they are noticeable only at a certain time. You can observe the cluster in the sky from December to May, and even then in the last month it can hardly be seen on the western horizon and is gradually hidden from view.

Finding Gemini in the sky is quite simple: 14 stars have a brightness of the third magnitude and form straight lines. They can be seen with the naked eye. And if the observer notices one of the constellations bordering on them, he will be able to use it as a guide. It is quite difficult to mix Gemini with other clusters, since it is a rectangle in shape.

Gemini constellation in astrology

Gemini zodiac sign comes third in the row, after Taurus. It is considered from the day of the vernal equinox and dates falls on the period from May 22 to June 21. And the Sun is in the cluster area from June 20 to July 20. The sign of Gemini refers to the element Air, and Mercury is considered the planet.

People born in this period love to get involved in adventures and have dramatic mood swings. Finding a common language with them is not difficult because of their sociability. The twins are always full of ambition and strive to improve their financial situation, because of which they are constantly developing plans for a successful future. They like to be in public and also use attention to their advantage.

Interesting fact: many Gemini become lawyers and journalists, because they love working with the public.

The twins have a strong character and determination, but insecurity can easily settle in them if they do not feel the support of others. Moreover, they can easily be very offended by a friend if they don’t like something. However, making peace with them is not difficult. In a relationship, Gemini chooses partners not only in appearance, but also in evaluating their character and mental abilities. Health is not a strong point: frequent allergies and illnesses can haunt throughout life.