Table of Contents
- 1 Why is the Pollux star important?
- 2 How did the Pollux star get its name?
- 3 What does the color of the star Pollux mean?
- 4 How long does it take the light from Pollux to reach Earth?
- 5 Who is Pollux in Greek mythology?
- 6 Is Pollux a planet?
- 7 What color is Pollux star?
- 8 What mythical creature is Gemini?
- 9 What kind of star is the Pollux star?
- 10 How are Pollux and Castor similar to each other?
Why is the Pollux star important?
It is the brightest star in Gemini and the closest giant star 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. In 2006 an extrasolar planet (designated Pollux b or β Geminorum b, later named Thestias) was confirmed to be orbiting it.
How did the Pollux star get its name?
Pollux is a Greek name, but the legend behind the name comes from both Greek and Latin cultures. Pollux and Castor were twins who were supposed to assist sailors in trouble. Together, the twins were called the Dioscuri in Greek and the Gemini in Latin.
What does the color of the star Pollux mean?
light yellowish orange
Pollux is classified as a “K0 IIIb” star. The K0 means that it is somewhat cooler than then sun, with a surface color that is a light yellowish orange.
What is Pollux?
Pollux is a star in the northern constellation of Gemini, the Twins. It is an evolved giant star with an orange hue. At an apparent visual magnitude of 1.1, Pollux is the brightest star in the constellation; brighter even than its neighbor Castor. In 2006, Pollux was confirmed to have an extrasolar planet orbiting it.
What will happen when Pollux dies?
Over time, Pollux will get even bigger and brighter. Then it will expel its outer layers, briefly surrounding itself with a colorful bubble of gas. That bubble will quickly fade, though, leaving only the star’s small dead core — a hot ember known as a white dwarf. Tomorrow: emptiness between the stars.
How long does it take the light from Pollux to reach Earth?
Visual Facts
| Primary Name | Pollux | The Sun |
|---|---|---|
| Galactic Latitude | 23.40773954 ° | 0° |
| Galactic Longitude | 192.22971814 ° | 0° |
| 1997 Distance from Earth | 96.74000 Parallax (milliarcseconds) | N/A |
| 33.72 Light Years | 8 Lt. Mins, 20 Lt. Sec. |
Who is Pollux in Greek mythology?
Castor and Pollux (or Polydeukes) are twin half-brothers in Greek and Roman mythology, known together as the Dioscuri. Their mother was Leda, but they had different fathers; Castor was the mortal son of Tyndareus, the king of Sparta, while Pollux was the divine son of Zeus, who seduced Leda in the guise of a swan.
Is Pollux a planet?
Planetary System Pollux b or Thestias, is a planet with an estimated mass of at least 2.3 times that of Jupiter – thus it is likely a gas giant. The exoplanet orbits Pollux once every 590 days at a distance of 1.64 AU in a nearly circular orbit.
Is Pollux a real name?
The name Pollux is primarily a male name of Greek origin that means Very Sweet. In Greek mythology Pollux was the twin brother of Castor and a son of Zeus. It’s also a star in the constellation Gemini.
Why did they cut out Pollux tongue?
Pollux is an Avox, meaning his tongue was cut out because of some unspecified offense he committed against the Capitol.
What color is Pollux star?
reddish
Pollux, also called Beta Geminorum, brightest star in the zodiacal constellation Gemini. A reddish giant star, it has an apparent visual magnitude of 1.15. The stars Castor and Pollux are named for the mythological twins.
What mythical creature is Gemini?
Gemini is associated with the myth of Castor and Polydeuces (also known as Pollux), collectively known as the Dioscuri.
What kind of star is the Pollux star?
Along with Castor, Pollux is one of the two main guideposts for the asterism, which is sometimes nicknamed “the twins.” The star is a red giant that has finished fusing hydrogen in its core and is now fusing other lighter elements into heavier ones.
How big is Pollux compared to the Sun?
Pollux is an intermediate mass star, almost twice as massive as the Sun and almost nine times larger. With an estimated temperature of 4,666 K, it shines with a luminosity 43 times that of the Sun. The star’s estimated age is 724 million years. Pollux (Beta Geminorum), image: Wikisky
What did the Assyrians call the star Pollux?
Assyrians called Pollux and Castor Mas-mas, meaning “twins.” In India, the stars were known as Acvini, the “horsemen.”
How are Pollux and Castor similar to each other?
Pollux and its neighbour Castor mark the heads of the celestial Twins, represented by the constellation Gemini. The two stars are about 18 light years apart. Even though they are referred to as twins and appear similar in brightness, the two stars are very different.