Saturday, April 08, 2017

The Letter G: Gemini


  We are quickly running through the alphabet of this year's A-Z challenge as we explore heavenly bodies.  Today’s letter is “G” and we’re going to take a peek at Gemini, the twins.  This is the first of our constellations that are in the zodiac (a band around the earth in which the sun travels).  Astrologist a great deal out about the zodiac, but they are not scientists.  Frankly, I ignore the horoscope in the paper, but have often read those “horrorscopes” found in alternative papers.  But that’s another subject and we’ll come back to the zodiac at the end of the month (when we get to the letter Z).



According to legend, the Gemini twins were sons of Leda.  Zeus seduced Leda, so she gave birth to Pollux who was immortal.  But the other twin, Castor (from whom the oil may have been named) had a mortal dad and therefore was mortal.  Don’t ask me how a woman can have twins to different fathers.  This is mythology, not science.  The twins were assigned as protectors of the ship Argo as it sailed in search of the Golden Fleece.  When they boarded the ship, flames leaped from the mast, which associates them with St. Elmo’s fire.  Of course, being mortal, Castrol dies.  Pollux didn’t feel he could live without his brother and asked his dad, Zeus, if he could die.  It was arranged that when Castor sets in the western sky, he dies and goes to Hades, and Pollux gets to follow him.  When Castor rises, Pollux also rises. 

The best time to see Gemini is late in the evening in the fall, right after Orion has risen.  Gemini rises ahead of Orion, so is higher in the sky (just above Betelgeuse.    Castor and Pollux are both bright stars, but to me the constellation looks like an upside U, with Castor and Pollux anchoring the letter.  Castor is a unique object as it is actually made up of eight stars that circle each other. 


Of course, Gemini was the name of a series of American rockets that carried two astronauts into the sky.  The first manned rockets were the Mercury program.  Gemini was a bridge before the launch of the Saturn rockets that carried the first men to the moon.  Castor and Pollux are also characters in the third book of the Hunger Game series (and in the movie).  

26 comments:

  1. I remember learning about this one in Girl Scouts. I guess I have the Girl Scouts to thank for most of my limited star knowledge. :)

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  3. Very interesting and informative read... loved reading it!

    My G is Ghost near my gate: LINK

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  4. I've always liked the story of Castor and Pollux. Thanks for another informative post.

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  5. It is theoretically possible for a woman to have twins with two different fathers, although it would require a highly unlikely series of events.

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  6. I never can find constellations.
    Like Charles said, it's possible for twins to have different fathers. I forget whether or not there were any actual confirmed examples though.
    http://bit.ly/2ojtf4K

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  7. Love the astronomy with the mythology intermingled. The night sky is a delight year round - thanks.
    A Piece of Uganda

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  8. I didn't realize that link to the Hunger Games.

    And that is bizarre that twins came from two different fathers.

    G is for Gardasil—Is It Safe?

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  9. I wish I had learned more about constellations and mythology when I was younger. It would also help if there weren't so much artificial light in the night sky, making these difficult to spot! When we're camping in more remote areas, the night sky is stunning.

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  10. Twins to different fathers. Well, that's just all kinds of weird.

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  11. Hmm, that's wierd- and I am a Gemini, so that about describes me to a T.

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  12. It's rare, but as stated above, a woman can have twins by different fathers. I know it happens with dogs. :)

    I liked the way NASA named their rockets and programs. The book I read about JPL recently went into that a bit.

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  13. You are at "G" already, friend Sage? Can't wait till you get to "S" for Sagittarius ... Love, cat.

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  14. Very interesting. My first connection would be with the constellation, but you've reminded me of others.

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  15. That was super interesting and kind of sad.

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  16. Wow, you are flying through the letters of the alphabet. Can't believe it's 'G' already!!!

    Interesting read, thank you.

    All the best Jan

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  17. This was really fascinating for me, as I am a Gemini! Thank you for this, very happy I caught this.

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  18. Great G post. I will look to the stars to find Gemini next time I am on a mountain top away from civilization.

    If you have time, stop by my blogpost. It's a genealogy blog, so unless you are interested in that- From 1840 to 1880, GERMANS were the largest group of immigrant

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  19. A a Gemini I've always been fascinated by the history and astronomy (and on occasion the astrology as well).

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  20. I find astronomy fascinating, and I didn't know the story behind the Gemini constellation. Great stuff. :)

    A to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs

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  21. What a G post!

    I have a Gemini brother!

    And my name starts with G...:)

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  22. I love looking up at the night sky and always wish I knew more about astronomy. I don't check my horoscope either but I sure do have a lot of traits associated with my birth sign (Libra).

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  23. I like your comment - this is mythology not science, that's what makes the constellations so fascinating

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  24. Wow, Sage, this is fascinating!! I have a whole new appreciation for Gemini. :-) I hope you're doing well. I'm back up and running on the blog. Happy to be back in touch!

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  25. Another interesting backstory. Thanks!

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  26. Now I'm interested in horrorscopes!

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