Gemini – The Twins

Gemini - The Twins

Zeus became infatuated with beautiful Leda, who loved her husband truly. So Zeus changed himself into a swan and visited her. Leda, who suspected nothing, made love with her husband that sme nightand thus she came to bear male twins who had different fathers. Pollux was the son of Zeus and therefore immortal, whereas his brother, Castor, was an ordinary mortal. The brothers loved each other dearly and performed many heroic deeds together. Eventually, Castor died, and Pollux asked Zeus to make him mortal, too. Zeus refused to grant his wish and Pollux decided to follow his brother to the underworld. Deeply impressed by such brotherly love, Zeus decided to send them both into the heavens.

Modern astronomers view them very differently. Pollux is 35 light years away from us while Castor is 50. Pollux is a single star while Castor is made up by 6 different stars that form one of the most unusual multiple start systems in the sky.