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Ursa Minor

Genitive: Ursae Minoris

Northern 256 sq° UMi

Brightest star: Polaris

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Mythology

The Little Bear, associated with Arcas, son of Callisto and Zeus, or with one of the nymphs who nursed the infant Zeus on Crete. Polaris, the North Star, marks the tip of the bear's tail.

Observing Highlights

Polaris is within 1 degree of the north celestial pole, making it invaluable for navigation. The constellation is circumpolar from most northern latitudes. Contains few deep-sky objects.

Main Stars

20
Polaris

HIP 11767; Alpha UMi; 1 UMi

2.02 mag 18.4″ B: 9.1 F8Ib
Kocab

HIP 72607; Beta UMi; 7 UMi

2.08 mag K4- III
Pherkad

HIP 75097; Gamma UMi; 13 UMi

3.05 mag A2III
Epsilon UMi

HIP 82080; Epsilon UMi; 22 UMi

4.23 mag G5III
5 UMi

HIP 70692; 5 UMi

4.25 mag K4-IIIBa0.3
Zeta UMi

HIP 77055; Zeta UMi; 16 UMi

4.32 mag A3Vn
Yildun

HIP 85822; Delta UMi; 23 UMi

4.36 mag 4.5″ B: 11.8 A1Vn
RR UMi

HIP 73199

4.60 mag 4.44 - 4.85 SRB M4.5III
4 UMi

HIP 69112; 4 UMi

4.82 mag K3III
Eta UMi

HIP 79822; Eta UMi; 21 UMi

4.95 mag F5V
Theta UMi

HIP 76008; Theta UMi; 15 UMi

4.96 mag K5III
11 UMi

HIP 74793; 11 UMi

5.02 mag K4III
HIP 74605
5.13 mag F9IV
HIP 69373
5.24 mag M2IIIab
19 UMi

HIP 79280; 19 UMi

5.48 mag B8V
HIP 66435
5.50 mag gK2
HIP 78661
5.56 mag A3V
HIP 80480
5.56 mag F0V
HIP 76519
5.62 mag K5IIIb
HIP 72573
5.64 mag 1.9″ B: 11.5 F9V

Double Stars

12
HIP 75809
6.58 mag 31.6″ B: 7.3 G0IV-V+G8IV-V
Polaris

HIP 11767; Alpha UMi; 1 UMi

2.02 mag 18.4″ B: 9.1 F8Ib
HIP 81854
5.98 mag 2.4″ B: 10.2 F4V
Yildun

HIP 85822; Delta UMi; 23 UMi

4.36 mag 4.5″ B: 11.8 A1Vn
HIP 63822
6.31 mag 1.3″ B: 8.4 F0V
HIP 72573
5.64 mag 1.9″ B: 11.5 F9V
5 UMi

HIP 70692; 5 UMi

4.25 mag K4-IIIBa0.3
Kocab

HIP 72607; Beta UMi; 7 UMi

2.08 mag K4- III
Eta UMi

HIP 79822; Eta UMi; 21 UMi

4.95 mag F5V
Epsilon UMi

HIP 82080; Epsilon UMi; 22 UMi

4.23 mag G5III
Lambda UMi

HIP 84535; Lambda UMi

6.38 mag M1III
HIP 65536
5.79 mag M1IIIab

Variable Stars

1
RR UMi

HIP 73199

4.60 mag 4.44 - 4.85 SRB M4.5III

Deep Sky Objects

30
Galaxy (30)
NGC 6217
11.2 mag 3.1 Sbc
NGC 5832
12.0 mag 4.0 Sb
NGC 6068
13.0 mag 1.2 SBbc
NGC 5452
13.0 mag 2.3 SABc
NGC 5607
14.0 mag 1.1 Sab
IC 4660
— mag 1.5 Sb
IC 1187
16.0 mag 0.3 Sbc
IC 1129
14.0 mag 1.2 Sc
IC 1110
15.0 mag 1.3 Sa
IC 1046
15.0 mag 0.8 Sc
IC 1083
16.0 mag 0.7 Sbc
NGC 5144
13.0 mag 1.4
Polarissima Borealis

NGC 3172

13.6 mag 0.7 S0
NGC 5034
14.0 mag Sbc
NGC 5323
14.0 mag Sab
NGC 5314
14.0 mag Sa
NGC 5836
15.0 mag Sb
NGC 5909
14.0 mag Sbc
NGC 5939
13.0 mag SABc
NGC 6011
14.0 mag Sb
NGC 6252
15.0 mag Sab
NGC 6324
13.0 mag Sbc
IC 954
— mag 1.3
NGC 6048
14.0 mag 2.5 E
IC 1143
— mag 1.8 E
IC 1200
14.0 mag 1.4
NGC 6094
14.0 mag S0
IC 945
16.0 mag 0.5
IC 1154
15.0 mag 1.8 E
NGC 5547
14.0 mag