2006-11-14 00:42:04 · 3 answers · asked by Jiggles 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere containing the stars Castor and Pollux. Also called Twins
2006-11-14 00:48:42 · answer #1 · answered by Basement Bob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The two brightest stars in Gemini are Castor and Pollux. Castor is alpha geminorum and Pollux is beta geminorum. Stars in a constellation are formally named by the Greek alphabet (until you run out of Greek letters) in order of brightness (visual magnitude). However, in the case of Alpha and Beta geminorum the two are reversed: Castor is the second brightest and pollux is the brightest. No one knows how this came about.
2006-11-14 01:37:49 · answer #2 · answered by David A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. You have your answer but did you know that Castor is actually a TRIPLE binary system? In other words, three binary stars (six total stars) in orbit around each other.
2006-11-14 02:11:42 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋