White main-sequence star · Ursa Major

Megrez

Also known as: δ Ursae Majoris (δ UMa), HIP 59774

mag 3.381 light-years

About

Megrez (δ Ursae Majoris) is a white main-sequence star of magnitude 3.3 in Ursa Major, about 81 light-years away.

Megrez is in the constellation Ursa Major.
Best evenings: around mid-May 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 23° 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.

EyesVisible from the suburbs on a clear night, but lost in bright city skies.
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	Megrez
Designation	δ Ursae Majoris (δ UMa)
Hipparcos number	HIP 59774
Type	White main-sequence star
Spectral type	A3Vvar
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index 0.08
Magnitude	3.3The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	81 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1945.
Proper motion	0.10″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Ursa Major
Right ascension (J2000)	12h 15m 25.5s
Declination (J2000)	+57° 01′ 57″