Pollux b

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Exoplanet
Pollux b (Thestias)
Constellation Twins
Position
equinox : J2000.0
Right ascension 07h 45m 18.95s
declination + 28 ° 01 ′ 34.3 ″
Orbit data
Central star Pollux
Major semi-axis 1.61  +0.03−0.00 AE
eccentricity 0.06 ± 0.04
Period of circulation (589.7 ± 3.5) d
Further data
Minimum dimensions 2.63  +0.1−0.0 M J
distance (10.358 ± 0.029) pc
history
discovery Hatzes et al.
Date of discovery June 16, 2006
Catalog names
Beta Geminorum b, HD 62509 b

Pollux b ( Thestias ) is a Exoplanet that the approximately 34 light years from the sun away subgiants Pollux orbits, the brightest star in the constellation twins . Pollux (also Beta Geminorum ) is thus the brightest star (1.16 mag ) seen from earth  , of which a planet is known.

Origin of name

In addition to its systematic designation, which results from the name of the star and a lowercase letter (according to the order of discovery), Pollux b received the proper name Thestias after the patronymic of Leda and her after a public IAU competition on December 15, 2015 Sister Althaia . In Greek mythology, Leda is the mother of the two dioscurs, Castor and Pollux.

discovery

The discovery of Pollux b was published on June 21, 2006 by Artie Hatzes and is based on observations made by the Alfred Jensch telescope of the Thuringian State Observatory in Tautenburg and the Harlan J. Smith Telescope of the McDonald Observatory . As early as 1993, based on measurements of the radial velocity of Pollux, the existence of a planetary companion was suspected. However, an analysis of the spectral lines was also carried out in order to be able to exclude possible pulsations of the star as the cause of the measured values.

Alternatively, a study from 2013 explains the measurement results with a stable but weak, dipolar magnetic field from Pollux instead of an orbiting planet.

properties

According to a study by M. Kunitomo et al. from 2011 a minimum mass of about 2.63 Jupiter's masses and orbits its central star at a distance of about 1.69  AU . The orbital period is around 589.7 days. Due to the mass of the planet, it can be assumed that it is a gas giant .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Van Leeuwen, F .: HIP 37826. Retrieved on May 6, 2015 .
  2. ↑ a b c d NASA Exoplanet Archive: HD 62509 b. Retrieved May 8, 2015 .
  3. ↑ International Astronomical Union: NameExoWorlds - The Approved Names. Retrieved January 3, 2016 .
  4. ^ Hatzes, AP et al .: Confirmation of the Planet Hypothesis for the Long-period Radial Velocity Variations of Beta Geminorum . arxiv : astro-ph / 0606517 .
  5. ^ Hatzes, AP et al .: Long-period radial velocity variations in three K giants . doi : 10.1086 / 173002 .
  6. ^ A b Reffert, S. et al .: Precise Radial Velocities of Giant Stars II. Pollux and its Planetary Companion . arxiv : astro-ph / 0607136 .
  7. ↑ Spectrum from November 2, 2006: Planet around Pollux. Retrieved May 8, 2015 .
  8. ↑ Auriere, M .; Konstantinova-Antova, R .; Espagnet, O; Petit, P .; Roudier, Th. Et al .: Pollux: a stable weak dipolar magnetic field but no planet? arxiv : 1310.6907 .
  9. ^ Kunitomo, M. et al .: Planet Engulfment by ~ 1.5-3 Solar-Mass Red Giants . arxiv : 1106.2251 .

Web links

  • The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopaedia: Planet HD 62509 b. Retrieved May 8, 2015 .
  • Open Exoplanet Catalog: HD 62509. Retrieved May 8, 2015 .
  • NASA Exoplanet Archives: HD 62509 b. Retrieved May 8, 2015 .