Pale orange star · Ursa Major

Dubhe

Also known as: α Ursae Majoris (α UMa), HIP 54061

mag 1.8120 light-years

About

Dubhe (α Ursae Majoris) is a pale orange star of magnitude 1.8 in Ursa Major, about 120 light-years away.

Dubhe 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 18° S.
Star patterns: Big Dipper.

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.

EyesEasy, even from town. It has a clear orange tint.
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	Dubhe
Designation	α Ursae Majoris (α UMa)
Hipparcos number	HIP 54061
Type	Pale orange star
Spectral type	F7V comp
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 1.06
Magnitude	1.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	120 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1900.
Proper motion	0.14″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Ursa Major
Right ascension (J2000)	11h 03m 43.8s
Declination (J2000)	+61° 45′ 04″