Z Ursae Majoris — Variable Star in Ursa Major
Excellent (70/100)
Observe
1Physical Properties
Magnitude
6.20
Range
6.2 - 9.7
Period
189 days
Variable Type
Semi-Regular Variable (Late-type Giant)
Spectral Type
K-M
2Position & Identifiers
RA
11h 56m 30.0s
Dec
+57° 52' 18.0"
Constellation
Ursa Major
(UMa)
HR
9136
HIP
58225
HD
103681
SAO
28194
Variable ID
Z UMa
Querying VizieR catalog...
3How easy to follow?
Magnitude
6.2 – 9.7 mag
Amplitude
3.5 mag
Period
189 d
Type
SRB
Sign in
and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.
| Equipment | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naked eye Naked eye | Imp. | Imp. | Imp. |
| 50 mm finder 50mm finder | Medium | Hard+ | Hard |
| 150 mm telescope 150mm scope | Easy | Easy | Medium+ |
Easy
Medium
Hard
Very hard
Impossible
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
4Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Best season
Feb – Apr
(peak: Mar)
5Survey Image
Loading survey image…
6Light Curve
7Comparison Stars for Z UMa (6.2–9.7)
Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)
Loading comparison stars…
Explore
8
Size Comparison
Querying VizieR for stellar data…
9
Compare Stars
10
Spectral Classification
11
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Loading HR diagram…
12
Stellar Lifecycle
13
Blackbody Spectrum
14
Stellar Absorption Spectrum
Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.
15
Stellar Fusion
Discover
16Stellar Notes
Semiregular; Semiregular variable
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.
Arthur Eddington
1919 eclipse expedition confirming general relativity; first theory of stellar interiors; the Eddington limit
Biography
Variable Stars — A Guide for Observers
A practical guide to visual observation of variable stars: estimating magnitudes, finding comparison stars, recording data, and contributing to science with AAVSO.
Article
Ursa Major
Mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky highlights.
Constellation
