Pollux (star)
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| Observation data Epoch J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Gemini |
| Right ascension | 07h 45m 19.4s |
| Declination | +28° 01' 35" |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 1.15 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | K0 IIIb |
| B-V color index | 1.00 |
| U-B color index | 0.86 |
| Variable type | Suspected |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | +3.3 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: −625.69 mas/yr Dec.: −45.95 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 96.74 ± 0.87 mas |
| Distance | 33.7 ± 0.3 ly (10.34 ± 0.09 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | 1.09 |
| Details | |
| Mass | 1.7–4 M☉ |
| Radius | 8.0 R☉ |
| Luminosity | 32 L☉ |
| Temperature | 4,865 K |
| Metallicity | 90% Sun |
| Rotation | 38 days |
| Age | ? years |
| Other designations | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
Pollux (β Gem / β Geminorum / Beta Geminorum) is one of the brightest stars in the constellation Gemini and one of the brightest in the nighttime sky. Although it has the Bayer designation "beta", it is actually brighter than Alpha Geminorum (Castor). It also has the Arabic name Al-Ras al-Taum al-Mu'ahar, literally "The head of the second twin".
Castor and Pollux are the two "heavenly twin" stars giving the constellation Gemini (Latin, "twins") its name. Ironically the two are nothing alike. Castor is a hot white quadruple star, while Pollux is a cooler yellow-orange giant .
Castor and Pollux together correspond to the Nakshatra Punarvasu in Hindu astronomy.
Contents |
[edit] Planetary system
| Companion (In order from star) |
Mass (MJ) |
Orbital period (days) |
Semimajor axis (AU) |
Eccentricity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b | 2.3 ± 0.45 | 589.64 ± 0.81 | 1.64 ± 0.27 | 0.02 ± 0.03 |
[edit] Location
The star's location is shown in the following chart of the Gemini constellation:
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Beta Gem. ARICNS. Retrieved on November 21, 2005.
- Pollux. SolStation. Retrieved on November 21, 2005.
- Extrasolar planet confirmed around β Geminorum
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