Pollux b

Pollux b

Extrasolar planet		List of extrasolar planets
An artist impression of Pollux b.
Parent star
Star		Pollux
Constellation		Gemini
Right ascension	(α)	07h 45m 19.4s
Declination	(δ)	+28° 01′ 35″
Apparent magnitude	(mV)	1.15
Distance		33.7 ly (10.34 pc)
Spectral type		K0IIIb
Orbital elements
Semimajor axis	(a)	1.64±0.27 AU
Eccentricity	(e)	0.02±0.03
Orbital period	(P)	589.64±0.81 d (1.61432±0.00222 y)
Time of periastron	(T0)	2,447,739.02±4.5 JD
Semi-amplitude	(K)	41.0±1.6 m/s
Physical characteristics
Minimum mass	(m sin i)	2.3±0.45 MJ
Stellar flux	(F⊙)	16 ⊕
Discovery information
Discovery date		16 June 2006
Discoverer(s)		Hatzes et al.
Discovery method		Radial velocity
Discovery site		United States
Discovery status		Published
Other designations
Beta Geminorum b, HD 62509 b
Database references
Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia		data
SIMBAD		data
Exoplanet Archive		data
Open Exoplanet Catalogue		data

Pollux b, also known as Beta Geminorum b (β Gem b / β Geminorum b) and HD 62509 b, is an extrasolar planet approximately 34 light-years away in the constellation of Gemini (the Twins). This planet was discovered orbiting the star Pollux in 2006 by astronomer Artie P. Hatzes, confirming his hypothesis originally published in 1993. The planet has a comparable mass to the gas giants in our solar system. It moves around Pollux in 1.61 years at a distance of 1.64 AU in a nearly circular orbit.

References

• A. P. Hatzes et al. (1993). "Long-period radial velocity variations in three K giants". The Astrophysical Journal 413: 339–348. Bibcode:1993ApJ...413..339H. doi:10.1086/173002.  CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link)
• A. P. Hatzes et al. (2006). "Confirmation of the planet hypothesis for the long-period radial velocity variations of β Geminorum". Astronomy and Astrophysics 457 (1): 335–341. arXiv:astro-ph/0606517. Bibcode:2006A&A...457..335H. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20065445.  CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link)
• S. Reffert et al. (2006). "Precise Radial Velocities of Giant Stars. II. Pollux and Its Planetary Companion". The Astrophysical Journal 652 (1): 661–665. arXiv:astro-ph/0607136. Bibcode:2006ApJ...652..661R. doi:10.1086/507516.  CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link)

External links

• Hatzes et al. (2006-06-16). "Confirmation of the Planet Hypothesis of the Long-period Radial velocity Variations of β Geminorum" (PDF). European Southern Observatory. Retrieved 2008-06-24.  CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link)
• "Pollux". SolStation. Retrieved 2005-11-21. 
• Sabine Reffert et al. (2006-07-07). "Precise Radial Velocities of Giant Stars II. Pollux and its Planetary Companion". Astrophysical Journal 652: 661–665. arXiv:astro-ph/0607136. Bibcode:2006ApJ...652..661R. doi:10.1086/507516. 

Coordinates: 07^h 45^m 19.4^s, +28° 01′ 35″