Pollux b
Artist's impression of Pollux b | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Hatzes et al. |
| Discovery site | United States |
| Discovery date | 16 June 2006 |
| Radial velocity | |
| Designations | |
| β Geminorum b, HD 62509 b, Thestias | |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| 1.64 ± 0.27 AU (245 ± 40 million km) | |
| Eccentricity | 0.02 ± 0.03 |
| 589.64 ± 0.81 d 1.61432 ± 0.00222 y | |
| 2,447,739.02 ± 4.5 | |
| Semi-amplitude | 41.0 ± 1.6 |
| Star | Pollux |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mass | ≥2.30±0.45 MJ |
Pollux b, formally named Thestias /ˈθɛstiəs/, is an exoplanet candidate orbiting the star Pollux approximately 34 light-years away in the constellation of Gemini (the Twins). It is also designated β Geminorum b (Latinized to Beta Geminorum b, abbreviated β Gem b) or HD 62509 b. If this planet exists, it has a minimum mass of about twice the mass of Jupiter, and it moves around Pollux in 1.61 years at a distance of 1.64 AU in a nearly circular orbit. However, its existence has been disputed.