POLLUX (STAR)

'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). The name Pollux is traditionally thought by some people to carry the meaning "Much Wine", since astrologers associate Pollux with prosperity and celebration with wine. Actually the name Pollux refers specifically to Pollux, one of the twin sons of Zeus and Leda. The star also has the Arabic name ''Al-Ras al-Tau'am al-Mu'akhar'',(الرأس التؤام المؤخر) literally "The Head of the Second Twin". The Chinese recognized Pollux as ''Yang'', which is, according to the Chinese, one of the two fundamental principles upon which all things depend.
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.
Pollux is also the first star visible from earth which is known to have an extrasolar planet in orbit.

Contents

Planetary system

Location

See also

References

External links

Planetary system

Location

The star's location is shown in the following chart of the Gemini constellation:

See also

★ Pollux in fiction

References

★ Long-period radial velocity variations in three K giants, Hatzes et al., , , The Astrophysical Journal, 1993

★ Confirmation of the planet hypothesis for the long-period radial velocity variations of β Geminorum, Hatzes et al., , , Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2006

★ Precise Radial Velocities of Giant Stars. II. Pollux and Its Planetary Companion, Reffert et al., , , The Astrophysical Journal, 2006

External links

★ Beta Gem

★ Pollux

★ Extrasolar planet confirmed around β Geminorum

★ Precise Radial Velocities of Giant Stars II. Pollux and its Planetary Companion