Phad — Star in Ursa Major
HIP 58001; Gamma Ursae Majoris; 64 Ursae Majoris
About Phad
Description
Phecda (also spelled Phad) is a white main-sequence star of spectral type A0Ve at magnitude 2.44 in Ursa Major. Located about 84 light-years from Earth, it has a luminosity of roughly 65 times solar. Phecda marks the lower-left corner of the Big Dipper's bowl and is one of the five Dipper stars belonging to the Ursa Major Moving Group.
Observing Tips
Phecda is the lower-left star of the Big Dipper's bowl (when the Dipper is upright). It is the faintest of the four bowl stars but still an easy naked-eye object. The galaxy pair M81/M82 lies about 10 degrees northwest of Phecda. Best observed March through August when the Dipper is high.
History
The name Phecda (or Phad) comes from the Arabic 'fakhidh al-dubb,' meaning 'the thigh of the bear.' As a member of the Ursa Major Moving Group, it shares a common motion and origin with most of the other Dipper stars.
Fun Facts
Phecda has an 'emission' (e) designation in its spectral type, meaning it shows hydrogen emission lines, likely from a thin gaseous shell or disk. This makes it a mild Be-type star — a category that includes some of the most rapidly rotating stars known.
Observe
1Physical Properties
2Position & Identifiers
3How easy to spot?
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
5Survey Image
Loading survey image…
Explore
7
Size Comparison
8
Compare Stars
9
Spectral Classification
10
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
11
Stellar Lifecycle
12
Blackbody Spectrum
13
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
14
Stellar Fusion
Discover
15Stellar Notes
16
Light Travel Time Machine
17
Relativistic Travel
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
Explore Nightbase
Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.
