Gemini

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For information on the US space program named Gemini see Gemini program.

Gemini
Gemini constellation.
Abbreviation	Gem
Genitive	Geminorum
Meaning in English	the Twins
Right ascension	7 h
Declination	20°
Visible to latitude	Between 90° and −60°
Best visible	Feburary
Area - Total	Ranked 30th 514 sq. deg.
Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3	4
Brightest star - Apparent magnitude	Pollux (β Gem) 1.1
Meteor showers	Geminids Rho Geminids
Bordering constellations	Lynx Auriga Taurus Orion Monoceros Canis Minor Cancer

Gemini (the twins) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It is part of the winter sky, lying between Taurus to the west and the dim Cancer to the east, with Auriga and the near-invisible Lynx to the north and Monoceros and Canis Minor to the south. The Gemini program is named for it.

Table of contents

1 Notable features

2 Notable deep sky objects

3 Mythology

4 Astrology

Notable features

Gemini includes two bright stars, named after the two twins, who correspond to the Dioscuri in Greek mythology - Castor (α), a pretty telescopic binary (actually sextuple), and Pollux (β), which is brighter and more southwesterly. The other stars are relatively dim - only one, Alhena (γ) is ever seen from a large city - and trace out a rectangle to the southeast.

The planet Pluto was discovered in this constellation in 1930, near the star Wasat (δ Geminorum).

Notable deep sky objects

The brightest deep sky object of Gemini is M35, an open cluster of 5th magnitude, 2 800 light-years from earth. It is northwest of η Geminorum, near the western edge of the constellation.

Mythology

Main articles: Castor and Polydeuces

This constellation is identified with the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux (or Polydeuces), for whom its brightest stars are also named. These twin brothers were the brothers of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, by Leda.

Astrology

The astrological sign Gemini (May 21 - June 20) is associated with the constellation. In some cosmologies, Gemini is associated with the classical element Air, and thus called an Air Sign (with Libra and Aquarius). It is also one of the four mutable signs (along with Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces). Its polar opposite is Sagittarius. Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Gemini rules the hands. The symbol for Gemini is the twins. Gemini qualities include a quick mind, silver-tongued eloquence, facility using the hands, and an ability to see many facets of a given issue.