Head of the Twin

Alpha Geminorum or Castor
By Wade V. Corbei

Geeze…I so enjoy the oncoming winter and the splendid objects and constellations that it offers. Below is a sketch of Castor, the double star that makes up one of the “heads” of Gemini, The Twins. In Arabic Castor is called Al-Ras al-Taum al-Muqadim, meaning “The Head of the Foremost Twin”.

Both stars seemed close to the same size and magnitude, being 2.8 and 2.0 respectively, with just a hint of a blue fringe around both. A close double that is easily split with higher magnifications.

Wade V. Corbei