Gemini – The Garden Astronomer

Struve 1520: A Double of Yellow and Blue, Yellow—or Maybe Red

Overview of double star Struve 1520, STF 1520, as viewed through an 8-inch SCT scope under suburban skies. This is a double star of gold and red colors in constellation Ursa Major. The pair lie 12.7 arcseconds apart and make for a good double star target with a smaller scope.

38 Geminorum: A Pleasing Binary of Orange and Light Blue in Gemini

38 Geminorum is a 4th magnitude binary star in the Gemini constellation best viewed on winter nights. Backyard astronomers under suburban skies should be able to split this nice orange and light blue pair with any scope or binoculars. Also designated as STF 982 and SEO 96265.

Struve 1108: A Double of Yellow and Blue with Caldwell 39 Nearby

Overview of double star Struve 1108, STF 1108, as viewed through an 8-inch SCT scope under suburban skies. This is a double star of gold and blue colors in constellation Gemini. The pair lie 11.7 arcseconds apart and make for a good double star target with a smaller scope.

NGC 2129: Gemini’s Youthful Star Cluster

Not much is written about NGC 2129 in Gemini as this is a small cluster, but it houses two bright stars that are likely a binary. And, it’s a very young cluster in our galaxy.

Castor: You Are Not Just Seeing Double

Known as one of the brightest stars in the sky and twin of Pollux, Castor is a bluish-white double star in the constellation of Gemini.

Delta Geminorum (Wasat): A Star With a Unique History

Wasat is the primary star in a triple star system in the constellation Gemini. It’s best viewed in the winter. At magnitude +3.5, Wasat is not difficult to find under suburban skies. As you look at Wasat, you’re looking at a historical area of the night sky. In February 1930, Kansas farmboy-turned-astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discoveredContinueContinue reading “Delta Geminorum (Wasat): A Star With a Unique History”

NGC 2392: An Enchanting Planetary Nebula in Gemini

This nebula is notable for looking like a person with a hood on. In reality, a dying star ejected its outer layers of gas to create the fuzzy cloud I see in my telescope.

Messier 35 (NGC 2168): A Young Cluster the Size of the Moon in Gemini

Messier 35, also known by the name the Show-buckle Cluster, is an open cluster in the constellation of Gemini. It’s best viewed in the winter months. With at least a pair of binoculars, most stargazers, including those living with urban light pollution, will be able to enjoy M35. The cluster is spread out. It takesContinueContinue reading “Messier 35 (NGC 2168): A Young Cluster the Size of the Moon in Gemini”