White main-sequence star · Ursa Major

Merak

Also known as: β Ursae Majoris (β UMa), HIP 53910

mag 2.380 light-years

About

Merak (β Ursae Majoris) is a white main-sequence star of magnitude 2.3 in Ursa Major, about 80 light-years away.

Merak 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 24° 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.
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	Merak
Designation	β Ursae Majoris (β UMa)
Hipparcos number	HIP 53910
Type	White main-sequence star
Spectral type	A1V
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index 0.03
Magnitude	2.3The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	80 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1946.
Proper motion	0.088″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Ursa Major
Right ascension (J2000)	11h 01m 50.4s
Declination (J2000)	+56° 22′ 57″