Constellation · UMi
Ursa Minor
The Little Bear
Contains Polaris, the current North Star, at the end of the Little Dipper's handle. It is within about 0.7° of the north celestial pole.
Magnitude 1.97
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (summer 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 Minor
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Polaris (Alpha Ursae Minoris)mag 1.97
- Kochab (Beta Ursae Minoris)mag 2.07
- Pherkad (Gamma Ursae Minoris)mag 3.00
- Circitores (Epsilon Ursae Minoris)mag 4.21
- Akfa Farkadain (Zeta Ursae Minoris)mag 4.29
- Yildun (Delta Ursae Minoris)mag 4.35
Can you see Ursa Minor 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 Minor |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Visible all night, all year (it never sets) |
| 40°N | Visible all night, all year (it never 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 | Never rises |
| 60°S | Never rises |
Questions about Ursa Minor
When is Ursa Minor best seen?
Ursa Minor stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in June. That makes summer 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 Minor?
The brightest star in Ursa Minor is Polaris (Alpha Ursae Minoris), magnitude 1.97.
Where on Earth can you see Ursa Minor?
The whole of Ursa Minor can be seen from latitudes between about 1°S and 90°N. From 40°N: Visible all night, all year (it never sets). From 35°S: Never rises.
What does Ursa Minor mean?
Ursa Minor is Latin for "the Little Bear". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).