Home > Constellations, Ephemeris Program, Mythology, Observing > Ephemeris: 01/12/2026 – How to find the twins of Gemini

Ephemeris: 01/12/2026 – How to find the twins of Gemini

January 12, 2026

This is Ephemeris for Monday, January 12th. Today the Sun will be up for 9 hours and 6 minutes, setting at 5:24, and it will rise tomorrow at 8:17. The Moon, 2 days past last quarter, will rise at 4:08 tomorrow morning.

Another famous winter constellation is Gemini. The constellation of Gemini the Twins is visible halfway to the zenith in the east, at the top and left of Orion the hunter, at 9 pm. The namesake stars of the two lads, are the two bright stars at the left end of Gemini, and are high and are due east. Castor is on top, while Pollux is below. From them come two lines of stars that outline the two, extending horizontally toward Orion. Currently, Jupiter in its retrograde motion is situated level with Pollux at 9 PM. Pollux is left of the much brighter Jupiter. In Greek mythology the Gemini twins were half brothers, Castor was fathered by a mere mortal, while Pollux was fathered by Zeus, but were born together as twins. When Castor was killed during the quest for the Golden Fleece, Pollux pleaded with Zeus to let him die also, so Zeus placed them together in the sky.

The astronomical event times given in this blog are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (Lat 44.7° N, Long 85.7° W; EST, UT – 5 hours) unless stated otherwise. Times will be different for other locations.

Addendum

The constellation Gemini seen in four frames for 9 PM EST, January 12, 2026.
The constellation Gemini seen looking east-southeast in four frames for 9 PM EST, January 12, 2026. the stars with no connecting lines, the lines as I’ve learned to see them, a more modern way to see them, and the constellation art provided by Stellarium. Take your pick, or invent your own, there’s no right way. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.
Statues of Castor and Pollux on the Capitoline Hill in Rome.
Statues of Castor and Pollux on the Capitoline Hill in Rome. Public Domain by Jebulon.
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