Castor

From All Skies Encyclopaedia

Castor is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Greek. It is the name of HIP36850 (α Gem, HR 2891) in constellation Gem.

Etymology and History

From its ancient Greek name Κάστωρ (Kastor, Latin spelling with "C"), a character in Greek mythology, the twin of Polydeukes (Latin: Pollux, β Gem). Reapplied in Renaissance times.

Mythology

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN on 2016/06/30.

Weblinks

Reference

  • References (general)
  • Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub.