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Ursa Major Constellation
Constellation Ursa Major the Great Bear Star Map

Ursa Major, the Great Bear (UMa)

(ER-suh MAY-jur)


The Northern constellation of Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is best viewed in Spring during the month of April.

Ursa Major is the 3rd largest constellation. It's brightest star is Alioth at magnitude 1.76. The boundary of the Ursa Major constellation contains 21 stars that host known exoplanets.

Lalande?21185 is the 6th closest star to Earth at 8.3 light years.

      1. Pronunciation:
      2. ER-suh MAY-jur
      1. Meaning:
      2. Great Bear
      1. Genitive:
      2. Ursae Majoris
      1. Abbreviation:
      2. UMa
      1. Asterism:
      2. Big Dipper
      1. Constellation Family:
      2. Ursa Major
      1. Hemisphere:
      2. Northern
      1. Quadrant:
      2. NQ2
      1. Visibility:
      2. 90° N - 30° S
      1. Best viewing month*:
      2. April
      1. Area:
      2. 1280 sq. degrees
      1. Size:
      2. 3rd largest
      1. Right Ascension (avg):
      2. 10h 16m
      1. Declination (avg):
      2. 54°
      1. Brightest star:
      2. Alioth  (1.76)
      1. Stars with planets:
      2. 21


    Brightest Stars in Ursa Major

    The 10 brightest stars in the constellation Ursa Major by magnitude.

        1. Star
        2. Magnitude
        3. Spectral class


      Double Stars in Ursa Major

      These are the brightest and easiest-to-find double, triple, and quadruple star systems in the constellation Ursa Major. Also see all star clusters.

          1. Star system
          2. Magnitudes
          3. Type
          1. Zeta Ursa Majoris
          2. 2.2, 3.9, 4.0
          3. triple


        Nebulae in Ursa Major

        Notable and easy-to-find nebulae in the constellation Ursa Major . Also see all nebulae.

            1. Nebula name
            2. Catalog #
            3. Nebula type


          Galaxies in Ursa Major

          The most notable galaxies in the constellation Ursa Major. Also see all galaxies.

              1. Name
              2. Alt name
              3. Type


            Milky Way Satellites in Ursa Major

            Dwarf satellite galaxies that orbit the Milky Way Galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. Also see all Milky Way satellite galaxies.

                1. Galaxy name
                2. Alt name
                3. Magnitude
                1. Ursa Major I Dwarf
                1. Ursa Major II Dwarf


              Black Holes in Ursa Major

              These are the most well-known smaller (non-supermassive) black holes in the constellation Ursa Major. Although black holes cannot be seen directly, the smaller ones are at the center of some star clusters and supernova remnant nebulae, which can be seen. Supermassive black holes are at the center of most galaxies, such as Sagittarius A* at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Also see all black holes.

                  1. Black hole
                  3. Type
                  1. KV UMa
                  3. stellar
                  1. M82 X-1
                  3. intermediate
                  1. SDSS J120136
                  3. double


                The Great Bear of the Night Sky

                Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is one of the most widely recognized constellations in the northern sky.

                Historical Overview

                Ursa Major's existence dates back to ancient times, making it one of the oldest recognized constellations. Ptolemy, the Greek astronomer, included it in his list of 48 constellations. Its mythological associations are widespread, spanning different cultures, each with unique interpretations. However, its most common narrative comes from Greek mythology, where Zeus turned Callisto, a nymph, into a bear, who was then placed in the sky by Zeus.

                Location and Main Characteristics

                Ursa Major is nestled in the second quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ2) and is visible at latitudes between +90? and -30?. It is surrounded by several constellations including Draco, Leo Minor, Lynx, and others. Covering an area of 1280 square degrees, Ursa Major ranks as the third-largest constellation recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

                Celestial Bodies of Interest

                Ursa Major is renowned for its asterism, the Big Dipper, also known as the Plough or Charles's Wain in different cultures. This recognizable pattern, comprised of seven bright stars, has served as a celestial navigation tool for centuries. It also points to Polaris, the North Star, making it a critical landmark for northern hemisphere navigation.

                The constellation houses several notable stars, including Dubhe and Merak (the pointers), which guide viewers to Polaris. Mizar and Alcor, two more stars in the Big Dipper's handle, form a naked-eye double, providing a basic test for good eyesight.

                Ursa Major is also rich in deep-sky objects. The Pinwheel Galaxy (M101), the Owl Nebula (M97), and the Cigar Galaxy (M82) are among the several Messier objects located in this constellation. The Pinwheel Galaxy, a face-on spiral galaxy, is of particular interest for its grand design and relative closeness to us, at about 21 million light-years away.

                Observation

                Due to its proximity to the North Pole, Ursa Major is visible throughout the year in most of the northern hemisphere. Its high declination ensures that, for many observers in northern latitudes, it never sets below the horizon, making it a circumpolar constellation. The best time to observe Ursa Major is during culmination in the month of April.



                * Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes.

                ** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).