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How to Locate the Constallation Gemini

Gemini is a constellation visible from late autumn to early spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Ancient astrologers saw the constellation as a pair of human figures holding hands, and it is linked to the mythological twins Castor and Pollux. The constellation is dominated by the two bright stars bearing their names, and can be located using some highly visible landmarks.

Instructions

Locating Gemini Using Orion as a Guide
- 1
  Locate the constellation Orion. Orion is marked by the three bright stars making up his belt, and is one of the most visible constellations in the winter sky.
- 2
  Track northwest from Orion until you encounter two bright stars slanting downward at a southeast angle. These are Castor and Pollux, and form the heads of the twin figures.
- 3
  Track southeast from Castor and Pollux to trace out the rest of the constellation.
Locating Gemini Using the Big Dipper as a Guide
- 4
  Locate the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is a distinctive group of stars resembling a square ladle with a curved handle.
- 5
  Draw an imaginary line between the first two stars of the Big Dipper's handle to the star forming the lower front corner of the cup.
- 6
  Extend this line until it intersects a bright star. This is Pollux, the brightest star in Gemini, and will be right next to another bright star, Castor.
- 7
  Track southeast from Castor and Pollux to trace out the rest of the constellation.

Astronomy