Ursa Minor
The lesser bear. Genitive Ursae Minoris, abbreviated UMi. Introduced by Ptolemy.
Area
255.87 sq°
56 of 88 by size
Brightest star
α Ursae Minoris
magnitude 2.02
Best seen
May
on the meridian at midnight
Visible from
90°N to 25°S
some part above the horizon
Where it is
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Centre | 15h 02m, +76.7° |
| Declination range | +65.4° to +90.0° |
| Naked-eye stars | 39 to magnitude 6.5, 2 to magnitude 3 |
| Borders | Camelopardalis, Cepheus, Draco |
Principal stars
Every star to magnitude 4, brightest first.
| Star | Magnitude | HR |
|---|---|---|
| α Ursae Minoris | 2.02 | 424 |
| β Ursae Minoris | 2.08 | 5563 |
| γ Ursae Minoris | 3.05 | 5735 |
Deep sky
Objects with a Messier number or a name people use.
| Object | Catalogue | Type | Magnitude | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polarissima Borealis | NGC 3172 | Galaxy | 13.6 | 0.7 |
- Magnitude: — where NGC 2000 gives none.
- Size: the largest dimension, in arcminutes.
My Sky
Rise, highest and set over your place, for any night: Ursa Minor
Further info
Sources
Principal stars: Bright Star Catalogue
Deep sky: NGC 2000.0
Area and borders: IAU constellation boundaries
