description Pollux Overview
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Pollux ranks #53 of 217 in the Star ranking, behind Achernar, ahead of Alioth.
Nearest giant star, Gemini prominence, confirmed exoplanet, but less iconic than Castor or first-rank stars.
help Pollux FAQ
Why does Pollux look orange?
Pollux is an evolved K-type giant with a cooler surface than the Sun, giving it a yellow-orange appearance. It is about 34 light-years away and is the brightest star in Gemini.
Which Gemini twin is brighter, Pollux or Castor?
Pollux is brighter as seen from Earth even though Bayer notation labels it Beta Geminorum. Castor, Alpha Geminorum, is a complex multiple-star system rather than a single orange giant.
What is known about the planet Pollux b?
Pollux b is a confirmed giant planet detected through changes in the star's radial velocity. It takes roughly 590 days to orbit Pollux and has also been given the proper name Thestias.
Can Pollux be seen without a telescope?
Yes, Pollux is a first-magnitude star and is readily visible to the unaided eye under ordinary night skies. It forms the head of one Gemini twin near Castor.
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