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Monday, 14 November 2022

The Moon in Gemini

Last night the Moon lay close to the bright star Pollux. This, and nearby Castor, are the main stars of Gemini, the 'Heavenly Twins', who appear in both Roman and Greek mythology. These sons of Zeus and brothers of Helen of Troy took part in the voyage of the Argo and traditionally look after seamen in danger.

The interesting thing (if you're an astronomer, at any rate!) is that the two stars are not equally bright, as you'd expect from twins! Pollux is visibly brighter, suggesting that one or other has altered in magnitude...




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