Merak
Also known as β UMa · HR 4295
Merak is a high proper motion star in the constellation Ursa Major, about 97 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | High proper motion star (spectral type A1IVps) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Ursa Major |
| Position (J2000) | 11h 01m 50s, +56° 22′ |
| Distance | 97 light-years (its light set off about 97 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 2.37 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 466 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Merak is highest in the sky at midnight in March. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 54° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 84°. To see it you need the naked eye, even from a town.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Ursa Major
- Bode's Galaxy (M81)
- Cigar Galaxy (M82)
- M109 (NGC 3992)
- Owl Nebula (M97)
- Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)
- Surfboard Galaxy (M108)
- Twin Quasar
- Winnecke 4 (M40)
Everything in Ursa Major · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits