Gemini Constellation

The distinctive pattern of the Gemini Constellation in the night sky amazes astronomers. Astronomy describes that the Gemini constellation lies in the pathway of the Earth’s orbit surrounding the Sun. In different parts of the world, the period from December to March is the best time to observe the astronomical objects in the Gemini constellation. 

The people, who come to this world between the 21st of May and the 21st of June, have astronomical connections with Gemini Constellation.

Gemini Constellation is represented by different pair of figures on other continents. In ancient Egypt, Gemini Constellation was symbolized by a couple of Goats. In old Arab, Gemini Constellation was portrayed with pair of peacocks. In ancient Greece, the Gemini Constellation was represented by twin brothers. Twin brothers - Castor & Pollux(Polydeuces) are the ruling celestial figure in Gemini Constellation, manifesting the mythological fact.

In ancient times, the ‘Twin Figure’ symbol of the Gemini Constellation in the night sky was used to guide the sailors as navigators to find their destination.

● The Mythological Connection:

Greek mythology portrays the facts of the Gemini Constellation with the enchanting story of the Twin brothers. In ancient times, Leda was the queen of Sparta and the mother of twin brothers - Castor & Polydeuces. The identical facts of Castor & Polydeuces are quite surprising. One brother Castor was the son of Sparta queen Leda and her husband, Kind Tyndareus. Naturally, Castor was mortal. But Polydeuces was the son of the Greek God Zeus. The God Zeus seduced Leda as a Swan, so Polydeuces was born as the immortal son of Zeus. The twin's brother was inseparable and became famous as Dioscuri. Though both twin brothers are efficient warriors with a variety of physical & mental skill sets, due to being the immortal son of Zeus, Polydeuces used to survive on the battlefields. Polydeuces refused to accept immortality unless his twin brother Castor could share it. Zeus granted the wish of Polydeuces and allowed both Polydeuces and Castor to rejoice in their brotherly love making them twins in the night sky. So, Gemini Constellation has been iconic due to the transformation of twin brothers Polydeuces & Castor.

● Major Star Characteristics:

Castor has triple pairs of binary stars, all bound with gravitational power. The surface temperature in Castor is 10,300 Kelvin, and the luminosity range is 30 times more than in the Sun. The distance between Castor & the Earth is 51 light years. The Blue star sequence turns Castor 2.7 times more massive than our Sun. The range of visual magnitude of Castor is 1.98, which defines the visibility of Castor in the Gemini Constellation in the night sky. Castor is named Alpha Geminorum, a major star variable in the Gemini constellation.

Castor represents the power of young warriors on the battlefield as one of the prime star variants in the Gemini Constellation.

Another dominating celestial figure in the Gemini constellation is Pollux, which is defined as Beta Geminorum. Pollux is the brightest star variant in Gemini Constellation. The magnitude range of the reddish giant star - Pollux is 1.15, which makes it the most luminous celestial figure in Gemini Constellation. One of the most brilliant mythological twin figures - Pollax in the Gemini constellation, is 33.7 light years away from the Earth.

Alpha & Beta Geminorum marks the head of ‘Twin Celestial Figures’ as the brightest parts in the Gemini Constellation.

● Geminids Meteor Shower:

Geminids Meteor Shower is the most popular celestial phenomenon in Gemini Constellation. According to astronomical research, almost 3200 Phaethon contribute to the lush Meteor Shower in Gemini Constellation. Geminids Meteor Shower occurs every year in the middle of December and is counted as the rich & enchanting annual Meteor Shower. The overall research claims the rapid sparkling dust tail of the parent body of Geminids Meteor Shower is resourced every year from the Palladian Asteroid along with ‘Rock Comet’ orbit.

● The Planetary Nebula:

1955 American astronomer George O. Abell discovered the Medusa Nebula in the Gemini constellation. The sequences of interferometric studies claim the exterior layers of any dying star produced cosmic dust and gas, which formed the planetary nebula - Medusa Nebula in Gemini Constellation. Medusa Nebula is 1500 light years away from the Earth.

The speciality of a celestial pattern of the Gemini constellation makes it visible easily in the night sky. The dual extended strings of stars from Castor & Pollux(the head of the twin symbolic figures) have formed the Gemini Constellation to the downwards.

Astronomers can easily find the twin major celestial objects - Castor & Pollux, which are located on the East side of the V-shaped Hydes Cluster(The Face of the Bull in the Taurus Constellation )

● Alhena:

Alhena is another brightest star with a 1.9 magnitude range, making it easily visible to the naked eye. Alhena, also called Gamma Geminorum, is 109 light years away from Earth. The white star Alhena belongs to the Steller classification AI IV. Alhena carries 123 times higher luminosity than the Sun

● Mebsuta:

Mebsuta or Epsilon Geminorum defines the right leg of Castor. This star comes under the G8 Ib c; classification. Mebsuta is 840 light years away from the Earth. This star carries an 8500 times higher range of luminosity than our Sun.

● Tejas

Tejat is also known as Mu Geminorum, the 4th brightest star in the zodiac Gemini Constellation. Tejat is 230 lightyears away from the Earth. The luminosity range of Mu Geminorum varies from 2.75 to 3.02 magnitude range.

● Propus

Propus is also known as Eta Geminorum, 350 light years away from the Earth. Propus consist of triple components - One spectroscopic Binary Star, One G0 class dwarf star, which created an orbit for the pair.

● Alzirr

Alzirr, the Xi Geminorum, is a yellowish-white spectral class F5 IV star. This star has a 3.35 luminosity range, making it 11 times brighter than the Sun. Xi Geminorum is 58.7 light years away from the Earth.

● Wasat

This Delta Geminorum star is 60.5 light years away from the Earth. This star comes under the Steller classification FO IV. 

Other major stars in Gemini Constellation are Kappa Geminorum(G8 IIIa Steller classified star, 143 light years from the solar system, 3.57 magnitude range ); Lambada Geminorum(A3 V spectral class, 94.3 light years away from the Earth, 3.58 magnititude); Lota Geminorum(G9III spectral class, 3.78 magnitude range, 326 light years away from the Earth), Zeta Geminorum(F6-K2 spectral class, 3.68 to 4.16 magnitude range,), Tau Geminorum(K2III Steller Class, 4.42 magnititude range, 321 light years away from the Earth)

According to mythology, the Greek Goddess Athena influences the people's characteristics who come under the Gemini Zodiac Constellation. In simple words, Athena is the Goddess of war & wisdom. Athena is also an expert warrior with an intellectual mindset. So, Gemini people are counted as the wisest, ready to take independent decisions due to having sharp witnesses. Gemini people have indomitable interests to acquire knowledge for having the wisest zodiac influence of the Gemini Constellation. As the Goddess, Athena can embody her strength, wisdom & strategy on the battlefield; the Gemini people also can navigate their intellectual power to overcome adverse circumstances. It is believed that Gemini Constellation strengthens Gemini people with a fair sense of justice & exquisite ability to take the right decisions in tough times. 

All the discussed points represent the meticulous details of the Gemini Constellation, which manifests the astrological traits in the Gemini people.