Constellation · UMa
Ursa Major
The Great Bear
The third-largest constellation. The seven stars of the Big Dipper, a famous asterism, form the bear's back and tail, and the two end stars of the bowl point to Polaris.
Magnitude 1.76
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (spring in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Ursa Major
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Alioth (Epsilon Ursae Majoris)mag 1.76
- Dubhe (Alpha Ursae Majoris)mag 1.81
- Alkaid (Eta Ursae Majoris)mag 1.85
- Mizar (Zeta Ursae Majoris)mag 2.23
- Merak (Beta Ursae Majoris)mag 2.34
- Phecda (Gamma Ursae Majoris)mag 2.41
Can you see Ursa Major from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Ursa Major |
|---|---|
| 60°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 40°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 60°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
Questions about Ursa Major
When is Ursa Major best seen?
Ursa Major stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in April. That makes spring evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Ursa Major?
The brightest star in Ursa Major is Alioth (Epsilon Ursae Majoris), magnitude 1.76.
Where on Earth can you see Ursa Major?
The whole of Ursa Major can be seen from latitudes between about 17°S and 90°N. From 40°N: The whole constellation rises and sets. From 35°S: Only part of it ever clears the horizon.
What does Ursa Major mean?
Ursa Major is Latin for "the Great Bear". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).