Pollux (star)

32 L ☉

Pollux ( β Geminorum ) is the brightest star in the constellation Gemini and part of the great Wintersechsecks which it forms 1 size with 5 other stars. The name is the Latin form of Polydeuces, one of the Dioscuri in Greek mythology.

Properties

Astro Physics Pollux is one of the red giant. With about 34 light-years away, he is the representative of this class of stars our solar system closest. Pollux has about eight times the radius of the sun, its mass is about 1.86 solar masses. It has 32 ​​times the sun brightness at a surface temperature of 4500 Kelvin.

Pollux is the siebzehnthellste star in the night sky. Its reddish color contrasts strikingly to its almost equally bright neighboring star Castor ( α Geminorum ).

Planet

Spectroscopic measurements of its radial velocity was concluded that Pollux of a planet with three times the mass of Jupiter ( Pollux b ) is encircled in 590 days. Thus it is seen from earth the brightest star that previously a planetary companion was found.

Literature and References