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
- Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/
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.