Gemini

Greek mythology · one version

The inseparable twins

The twins Castor and Polydeuces, known in Latin as Pollux, are inseparable, though only one is immortal. After Castor dies, his brother refuses to leave him behind, and Zeus allows them to share their fate and honours them in the sky.

Two neighbouring human figures stand side by side, with the bright stars Castor and Pollux marking their heads.

People around the world have given these stars different figures and stories. This is one interpretation. Lines are recognition aids, rather than official constellation boundaries.

Finding Gemini

Above the horizon. Clear skies and a dark enough view are still needed. The figure’s centre is toward the east in this preview.

Use the bright reference stars below to recognise the shape. A complete drawing can extend outside the current camera window, even when its stars are above the horizon. Open its guide in Sky Timeline to compare the stars with an illustrated interpretation where available.

Bright reference stars

Pollux

Magnitude 1.1

Alhena

Magnitude 1.9

Lower magnitude numbers mean brighter stars. Clouds, nearby lighting and moonlight change what your eyes can pick out.

Explore another night

Visibility changes with place, season and time. Move through the night to see the object rise, cross the sky and set, while weather remains a separate estimate.