What kind of star is Pollux?
Pollux, catalogued as Beta Geminorum (β Gem), appears in the official constellation Gemini. Its apparent visual magnitude is about 1.14, while its estimated distance is about 33.8 light-years. Astronomers classify the object as K0 III. These labels describe temperature, luminosity class or system components; they should not be read as a claim that every naked-eye point is a single isolated star.
The coordinate pair RA 07h 45m 18.95s, Dec +28° 01′ 34.3″ fixes the object’s direction on the celestial sphere for the J2000 reference epoch. Right ascension works like celestial longitude measured in hours, while declination works like latitude north or south of the celestial equator. Proper motion and improved measurements can refine catalogue positions, but these coordinates are sufficiently precise for a finder chart or planetarium search.
The name Pollux
Named for Pollux, the immortal twin of Castor in Greek and Roman tradition.
Modern professional catalogues retain identifiers such as the Bayer designation alongside a proper name. The International Astronomical Union standardizes which name belongs to which component—an important distinction for systems whose combined light looks like one star from Earth.
How to find Pollux
Find Orion in winter and look northeast for Castor and Pollux. Pollux is the lower, more southerly and warmer-coloured member of the pair.
Best on northern winter and southern summer evenings; visible from most of the globe. Visibility on a particular night still depends on latitude, season, time, horizon obstructions, weather and local light pollution. Use the interactive atlas below to check the surrounding field before observing.
Interesting facts about Pollux
- Pollux is brighter than Castor despite carrying the Bayer letter Beta.
- It is an evolved orange giant and one of the nearest familiar first-magnitude giants.
- Pollux hosts a confirmed giant planet whose approved proper name is Thestias.
- Pollux and Castor form the heads of the celestial Twins.
- Its warm colour is readily distinguishable from Castor’s whiter light.
Sources and further reading
Measurements are rounded for readability. Multiple systems, variable stars and distant supergiants can have component-specific or model-dependent values.