Yellow main-sequence star · Ursa Major

Alula Australis B

Also known as: ξ Ursae Majoris (ξ UMa)

mag 4.834 light-years

About

Alula Australis B (ξ Ursae Majoris) is a yellow main-sequence star of magnitude 4.8 in Ursa Major, about 34 light-years away.

Alula Australis B is in the constellation Ursa Major.
Best evenings: around late April it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 48° S.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNeeds a dark sky away from city lights.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Alula Australis B
Designation	ξ Ursae Majoris (ξ UMa)
Type	Yellow main-sequence star
Spectral type	G0 Ve
Magnitude	4.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	34 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1992.
Proper motion	0.72″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Ursa Major
Right ascension (J2000)	11h 18m 11.2s
Declination (J2000)	+31° 31′ 44″