Gemini
What are the brightest stars in the constellation of Gemini?
What is the significance of the summer solstice in Gemini?
How was Gemini represented in Mesopotamian astrology?
What is the modality of the Gemini sign?
What are some traits of people born under the Gemini sign?
Gemini, in astronomy, zodiacal constellation lying in the northern sky between Cancer and Taurus, between about 6 and 8 hours right ascension and between 10° and 35° north declination. Its brightest stars are Castor and Pollux (Alpha and Beta Geminorum); Pollux is the brighter of the two, with a magnitude of 1.15, and is the 17th brightest star in the sky. Castor has a magnitude of 1.58. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice, the northernmost point reached by the Sun in its annual apparent journey among the stars and the longest day of the year, lies in Gemini. This constellation also contains the isolated pulsar Geminga.
Because Gemini has two bright stars near to each other, it is often represented by a set of twins or a pair of animals. In Mesopotamia about 1100 bce, Gemini’s brightest stars were called Lugalgirra and Meslamta-Ea, who were twin gods. In addition to their identification as Castor and Pollux, the twins have also been related to other celebrated pairs, such as the younger and older Horus or Romulus and Remus. In Egyptian astrology the constellation was represented as a pair of goats, and in Arabian astrology as a pair of peacocks.
In astrology, Gemini is the third sign of the zodiac, considered as governing the period from May 21 to June 21. (The Sun is actually in Gemini from June 21 to July 20.) Gemini is one of the three air signs, along with Aquarius and Libra. Of the three air signs, Gemini has a mutable modality, meaning that it relates to changing situations. Traits associated with those born under the sign of Gemini may include being curious, quick-witted, and inconsistent.
