characteristic shape formed by bright stars in the sky, in ancient times was called constellations.They contacted the emergence of beautiful legends and the great prophecy.One of the most unusual is the constellation Gemini.Interesting facts about it will be presented in this article.
Description constellation
story about the constellation of Gemini should start with its description.This area of the sky is perpendicular to the Milky Way.Light, it consists of, form the shape of an almost perfect rectangle.On a clear night the naked eye can see around seventy-stars.The brightest of them are called Castor ("driver") and Pollux ("fist fighter").Other lights form two parallel series strings.At night the sky is difficult to see the picture that is often painted in the ancient star atlases: two inseparable twin brother hugging each other.Do not show you a picture and modern schemes of the constellations.
In fact, Castor is a complex system of several bodies.Distance from him to the sun - almost 46 light-years.Pollux - a yellow-orange giant, the luminosity of which thirty-five times higher than the sun.It is much colder his heavenly "brother."In order to fly to the star, the person will need to overcome the thirty-five light-years.
Interest.U Geminorum
in the constellation Gemini are very interesting objects.Some of them can be seen with the naked eye.There are frequent changes causing attention of scientists.For example, U (epsilon) Gemini has unusual properties.It is a so-called variable tsifeidoy, ie star, periodically changes its brightness.This happens once in 102 days thanks to powerful explosions occurring on its surface.If you open the circuit constellations and study them carefully, we can see that this star is in the place where should be located the "heart" Pollux.
Interest.Meteors and nebulae
Near Castor in Gemini meteor shower radiant is called the Geminids.It can be seen from 7 to 15 December.The greatest density of meteors observed on December 13.The number increases to 60 pieces per hour.
Near star Mu and Zeta Gemini naked eye you can see a weak spot.This cluster (M35) of the 120 stars is interesting to observe with a telescope or binoculars.It is located at 830 parsecs from the sun.
Another interesting object for study - Clown Nebula, or Eskimo (NGC 2392).Such imaginative naming scientists have named a star of the tenth magnitude, uniform and surrounded by a bright dust jacket.It is located at a distance of 2900 light-years from the sun.
History Research
Since ancient times, the stars guided travelers and explorers.Different people give different names for celestial bodies.However, the two bright stars located near, people have always considered inextricably linked.The Greek legend of the constellation Gemini states that these luminaries, the brothers Dioscuri - Castor and Pollux (Pollux) - the sons of the Spartan king Tyndareus and the Olympic Zeus.This area of the sky is included in the catalog of astronomical "Almagest", composed by Claudius Ptolemy in 140 AD.The ancient Babylonians also seen in the constellation inseparable pair.They called the brightest light in it "shepherd and a warrior."The Thracians believed that these stars are twins, and help the Mariners to find a way home.
History of Astronomy Gemini binds two important scientific discoveries.William Herschel in 1781 found the planet Uranus is near the luminary Propus of this constellation.Another researcher, K.Tombo, opened in 1930, Pluto, which is located in close proximity to the star Wasat, as part of the Twins.
Observation
How to find in the sky the constellation Gemini?For children, such a task may prove difficult.However, it is finding it pretty easy.Constellation clearly stands out in the night sky unusual characteristic pattern.A pair of parallel chains of stars that make up the twins, can be found in the northeast of Orion."Parachute" constellation Auriga at the same time must be to the northwest.Twins enter the "parade" the most prominent constellations in the sky.They move to the West after the Taurus and somewhat ahead of the Lion, located to the east.
well see what it looks like Gemini can be in January and December.Every year on June 21 it takes the sun.Then it is high above the horizon, and is also well visible from the entire territory of our country.
Mythology.Birth brothers
enveloped in myths and legends constellation Gemini.For children especially interesting is the acquaintance with ancient traditions.In ancient Greece, it was believed that the mother of the famous brothers was the wife of the king of Sparta, Tyndareus formidable.Her name was Leda.It featured a dazzling beauty and fascinated by it, not only mortals, but the Olympian gods.Zeus himself drew attention to it.To avoid conflict with his wife, the goddess of the hearth hero, Thunder turned into a white swan and flew to the Leda.Soon, the woman gave birth to two children of God: A beautiful daughter Elena, because of which then started the Trojan War and his son - Polydeuces (Pollux).Later, Leda gave birth to two more children by her husband, son and daughter Klitemnesteru Castor.The brothers from childhood were inseparable, but expecting different fate.Zeus bestowed immortality Pollux, while Castor was a simple man.
Mythology.The exploits of heroes
Legend of the constellation Gemini reads as adults, the brothers have become real athletes.They made a lot of famous feats.Dioscuri helped Jason to obtain the Golden Fleece.Castor was unsurpassed tamer and skillfully drove chariots.Pollux was reputed invincible pugilists.Brothers always did everything together.One day they kidnapped the sisters Phoebe and Gelayeru, the king's daughters Livkippa.The boys stole the girls right from the wedding and married them yourself.Pollux chose Phoebe, and Castor - Gelayeru.Since then, the brothers afaretidy (IDASA and links), which Dioscuri kidnapped brides become their sworn enemies.Once IDASA in battle killed Castor.
Mythology.Brotherly love
final legend of the brothers talks about how appeared in the sky the constellation Gemini.For children it is especially important to know this part of history, because it tells the story of selfless brotherly affection.After the death of Castor Pollux asked Zeus to the request to make it mortal.The hero was ready to live in the underground darkness of Hades, only to never be separated from her brother.Thunderbolts wished to condemn his son to such a grim fate.He complied with the request Pollux, but made sure that he spent one day on Olympus, the other - in the realm of the dead.The ancient Greeks honored inseparable twins as the patrons and protectors of people.Seeing an unbreakable attachment Pollux and Castor, Zeus turned them into stars and placed in the sky, its light so that they reminded of loyalty and brotherly love.
Conclusion In this article, we briefly tried to describe the constellation of Gemini.For children, it is very useful information.It allows you to broaden my horizons, learn to better navigate the world.Knowledge of ancient myths attached to the study of the sky poetic coloring.Studied astronomy, and you make a lot of exciting discoveries!
