Stars · Orange giant

Pollux

34 light-years · Light crosses it in 42 seconds

Across

12.6 million km

Vs Earth

9.06× Sun

Mass

1.91 Suns

Open Pollux in Cosmic Scale

About

Pollux is the brightest star in Gemini and the closest giant star to the Sun. It has finished burning hydrogen in its core and swollen to nine times the Sun's width — a preview of the Sun's own future.

The closest giant star to the Sun.

At a glance

Distance	34 light-years
Surface	4,586 K
Brightness	43 Suns
Planet	Pollux b, confirmed 2006

Did you know

1. Its planet is more than twice Jupiter's mass and takes 590 days to orbit.
2. Despite the twin story, Pollux and Castor are not related: they lie at different distances and are different kinds of star.
3. It is one of the few giant stars close enough to study in fine detail.