Orange giant · Gemini

Pollux

Also known as: β Geminorum (β Gem), HIP 37826

mag 1.234 light-years

About

Pollux (β Geminorum) is an orange giant of magnitude 1.2 in Gemini, about 34 light-years away.

Pollux is in the constellation Gemini.
Best evenings: around early March it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 52° S.
Star patterns: Winter Hexagon.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesA first-magnitude star, obvious even from a city. It has a clear orange tint.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Pollux
Designation	β Geminorum (β Gem)
Hipparcos number	HIP 37826
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K0IIIvar
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 0.99
Magnitude	1.2The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	34 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1992.
Proper motion	0.63″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Gemini
Right ascension (J2000)	07h 45m 19.0s
Declination (J2000)	+28° 01′ 34″