Pollux (star)
Star in the constellation Gemini / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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 giant star located at a distance of 34 light-years, making it the closest giant 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.[15] In 2006 an extrasolar planet (designated Pollux b or β Geminorum b, later named Thestias) was confirmed to be orbiting it.[10]
Quick Facts Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0, Constellation ...
Observation data Epoch J2000.0 Equinox J2000.0 | |
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Constellation | Gemini |
Pronunciation | /ˈpɒləks/[1] |
Right ascension | 07h 45m 18.94987s[2] |
Declination | +28° 01′ 34.3160″[2] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 1.14[3] |
Characteristics | |
Evolutionary stage | Giant star |
Spectral type | K0 III[4] |
U−B color index | +0.86[3] |
B−V color index | +1.00[3] |
V−R color index | +0.75[3] |
R−I color index | +0.50[3] |
Variable type | Suspected[5] |
Astrometry | |
Radial velocity (Rv) | +3.23[6] km/s |
Proper motion (μ) | RA: −626.55 mas/yr[2] Dec.: −45.80 mas/yr[2] |
Parallax (π) | 96.54 ± 0.27 mas[2] |
Distance | 33.78 ± 0.09 ly (10.36 ± 0.03 pc) |
Absolute magnitude (MV) | +1.08±0.02[7] |
Details | |
Mass | 1.91±0.09[8] M☉ |
Radius | 9.06±0.03[9] R☉ |
Luminosity | 32.7±1.6[9] L☉ |
Surface gravity (log g) | 2.685±0.09[10] cgs |
Temperature | 4,586±57[9] K |
Metallicity [Fe/H] | –0.07 to +0.19[10] dex |
Rotation | 558 days[11] |
Rotational velocity (v sin i) | 2.8[12] km/s |
Age | 724[13] Myr |
Other designations | |
Database references | |
SIMBAD | data |
ARICNS | data |
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