Ursa Major (constellation)
| Constellation | |
|
|
| Abbreviation | UMa |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Ursae Majoris |
| Pronunciation |
/ˈɜːrsə ˈmeɪdʒər/, genitive /ˌɜːrsiː məˈdʒɒrᵻs/ |
| Symbolism | the Great Bear |
| Right ascension | 10.67 |
| Declination | +55.38 |
| Quadrant | NQ2 |
| Area | 1280 sq. deg. (3rd) |
| Main stars | 7, 20 |
|
Bayer/Flamsteed stars |
93 |
| Stars with planets | 21 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 7 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 8 |
| Brightest star | ε UMa (Alioth) (1.76m) |
| Nearest star |
Lalande 21185 (8.31 ly, 2.55 pc) |
| Messier objects | 7 |
| Meteor showers |
Alpha Ursa Majorids Leonids-Ursids |
| Bordering constellations |
Draco Camelopardalis Lynx Leo Minor Leo Coma Berenices Canes Venatici Boötes |
|
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −30°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of April.  |
|
Ursa Major (/ˈɜːrsə ˈmeɪdʒər/; also known as the Great Bear) is a constellation in the northern sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory. Its Latin name means "greater (or larger) she-bear", standing as a reference to and in direct contrast with nearby Ursa Minor, the lesser bear. In antiquity, it was one of the original 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy (2nd century AD), and is now included among the third largest constellation of the 88 modern constellations.
Ursa Major is primarily known from the asterism of its main seven relatively bright stars comprising the (historically named) "Charles' Wain", "Big Dipper", "the Wagon" or "the Plough" (among others), with its stellar configuration mimicking the shape of the "Little Dipper".
The general constellation outline often significantly features in numerous world cultures, and frequently is used as a symbol of the north. e.g. As the flag of Alaska. Also the asterism's two brightest stars named Dubhe and Merak (α Ursae Majoris and β Ursae Majoris) can be used as the navigational pointer towards the place of the current northern pole star, Polaris in Ursa Minor.
...
Wikipedia