Gemini (constellation) - Visualizations

Visualizations

The constellation contains 85 stars visible to observation on Earth without a telescope.

Gemini is dominated by Castor and Pollux, two bright stars that appear relatively close together, encouraging the mythological link between the constellation and twinship. The twin above and to the right (as seem from the Northern Hemisphere) is Castor, whose brightest star is α Geminorum (more commonly called Castor); it is a second magnitude star and represents Castor's head. The twin below and to the left is Pollux, whose brightest star is β Geminorum (more commonly called Pollux); it 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.

H.A. Rey has suggested an alternative to the traditional visualization that connected the stars of Gemini to show twins holding hands. Pollux's torso is represented by the star υ Geminorum, Pollux's right hand by ι Geminorum, Pollux's left hand by κ Geminorum; all three of these stars are of the fourth magnitude. Pollux's pelvis is represented by the star δ Geminorum, Pollux's right knee by ζ Geminorum, Pollux's right foot by γ Geminorum, Pollux's left knee by λ Geminorum, and Pollux's left foot by 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 τ Geminorum, Castor's left hand by ι Geminorum (which he shares with Pollux), Castor's right hand by θ Geminorum; all three of these stars are of the fourth magnitude. Castor's pelvis is represented by the star ε Geminorum, Castor's left foot by ν Geminorum, and Castor's right foot by μ Geminorum and η Geminorum; ε, μ, and η Geminorum are of the third magnitude. The brightest star in this constellation is Pollux.