File:Gemini_constellation_map.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Pollux
Sign in to saveAlso known as Beta Geminorum, 78 Geminorum, β Gem, Beta Gem, 78 Gem, β Geminorum, HIP 37826, HIC 37826
star in the northern constellation of Gemini
Pollux is a bright star located in the constellation Gemini in the northern sky. It is one of the two brightest stars in this constellation and is named after a figure from Greek mythology.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Wikidata facts
- Distance from Earth
- 10.34
- Diameter
- 12600000
- Radius
- 9.3
- Mass
- 1.47
- Orbital period
- 589.64
- Image
- Gemini constellation map.png
Show 22 more facts
- Commons category
- Pollux (star)
- spectral class
- K0
- catalog code
- UBV M 13566
- stellar rotational velocity
- 3.29
- luminosity
- 32
- apparent magnitude
- -1.11
- parallax
- 96.54
- absolute magnitude
- 1.09
- right ascension
- 116.328957774
- declination
- 28.026198890
- effective temperature
- 4666
- radial velocity
- -0.7
- metallicity
- 0.099
- surface gravity
- 400
- right ascension component of proper motion
- -629
- declination component of proper motion
- -46
- age estimated by a dating method
- 724
- argument of periapsis
- 354.58
- time of periapsis
- 2447739.02
- M sin i
- 2.9
- orbital eccentricity
- 0.02
- semi-major axis of an orbit
- 1.69
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Article
Pollux is the brightest star in the constellation of Gemini. It has the Bayer designation β Geminorum, which is Latinised to Beta Geminorum and abbreviated Beta Gem or β Gem. This is an orange-hued, evolved red giant located at a distance of 34 light-years, making it the closest red giant (and giant star) to the Sun. Since 1943, the spectrum of this star has served as one of the stable anchor points by which other stars are classified. In 2006, an exoplanet (designated Pollux b or β Geminorum b, later named Thestias) was announced to be orbiting it.
Nomenclature