Star profile

Alula Borealis

Nu Ursae Majoris · Ursa Major

3D likeness based on its real data · class K · ~4,200 K

What is Alula Borealis

Alula Borealis is the upper orange giant of the «Alula» pair —the old Arab astronomers called this asterism «the first leap» of the gazelle, the stellar trace of a stride crossing the foot of Ursa Major. At 399 light-years it shines discreetly, but together with her sister Australis it forms a visual duo that for centuries served as a test for keen eyes on moonless nights.

Where it is and when to see it

Alula Borealis lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is February, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 72° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 82° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 23° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 57° S.

It ranks no. 14 in brightness among the 124 stars of Ursa Major in our catalogue. To find it, start from Alioth, the brightest: it lies about 28° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 400 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Alula Borealis

Constellation: Ursa Major
Apparent magnitude: 3.49
Distance: 399.3 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 169.620° · Dec 33.094°
Catalogue: HIP 55219 · HD 98262

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Other stars in Ursa Major

Ursa Major has 124 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 124 stars in Ursa Major