Pollux (star)

star in the northern constellation of Gemini

Pollux is a red giant star. It is the brightest star in the Gemini constellation. It's diameter is 12,255,584 kilometres (7,615,267 miles).[1] Once a type A star, Pollux has used all the hydrogen in its core and expanded to become a K-type giant star.[2]

It is located at a distance of 34 light years, which makes it the closest giant star to the Sun. In 2006, an extrasolar planet (designated Pollux b, formally named Thestias) was confirmed to be orbiting the star at a distance of 1.64 AU in nearly a circular orbit.[3]

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