Arcturus vs Pollux

Property Arcturus Pollux
Bezeichnung 16Alp Boo 78Bet Gem
Sternbild N/A Gemini
Spektralklasse Class K — K-type (Orange) Class K — K-type (Orange)
Scheinbare Helligkeit -0.05 +1.16
Absolute Helligkeit -0.31 1.08
Entfernung 36.7 ly 33.8 ly
Masse N/A N/A
Radius N/A N/A
Temperatur N/A N/A
Leuchtkraft N/A N/A

Key Differences

  • Both are K-type giant stars, but Arcturus is in the northern hemisphere's highlight and Pollux is in Gemini.
  • Arcturus is the brightest star in the northern sky at magnitude −0.05; Pollux is the nearest giant star at ~34 ly.
  • Pollux hosts a confirmed exoplanet (Thestias); Arcturus has no known planetary companions.
  • Arcturus has an unusually high proper motion suggesting an unusual galactic orbit.
  • Arcturus is about 170 times more luminous than the Sun; Pollux is about 33 times more luminous.

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