How many stars are in Ursa Major?

Ursa Major is a large server constellation. The seven main bright stars of the constellation form the well-known and famous bucket. The constellation Ursa Major contains 210 stars visible to the naked eye.

There are only 7 stars in the constellation Ursa Major.

They are arranged in the shape of a bucket.



Once the constellation Ursa Major was called Seven Wise Men

Seven Stars:

1. Star Benetas
2. star Aliot
3. star dubhe
4. star Merak
5. star Fekda
6. star Megrets
7. star Mizar

There is a legend that the North Pole - the Arctic was named after the constellation Ursa Major.

The ancient Greeks called it Arcos, hence the word Arctic - Arctic.

The constellation Ursa Major is a very important constellation. It is easily located in the sky and helps to find the North Star. Therefore, it is important for every person to know where he is and how many stars are in the constellation Ursa Major. These are seven stars, namely: Benetash, Aliot, Dubhe, Merak, Fekda, Megrets, Mizar.

Dear chela, no one can accurately and unambiguously answer your question. And the point is not only that not a single stellar astronomer knows the exact answer, but also that the number of observed stars will depend, figuratively speaking, on the chosen frame of reference. If we observe in a large city, for example, such as Moscow, through its dusty and light-polluted atmosphere, then it is good if we can see a dozen of the brightest stars in this constellation. Observing the constellation somewhere on the western border of the Moscow region, an observer with keen eyesight will be able to see stars up to about the sixth magnitude (6m). And the total number of stars that he will be able to observe in the constellation Ursa Major will be about 120. If this observer observes the constellation, being at a point with a wonderful astroclimate, for example, somewhere in Hawaii, near the Mauna Kea observatory, at an altitude above 4000 meters, then he will be able to see stars up to 7m without instruments. In this case, the number of stars observed with the naked eye in the constellation Ursa Major will be approximately 240-250. But a record number of stars in the constellation Ursa Major can be seen in the Palomar Sky Atlas. It registered objects up to 21m. And these are not only the stars of our Galaxy, but also a huge number of other galaxies and their clusters. But different galaxies contain from tens of millions to hundreds of billions of stars. So it is almost impossible to count all the stars that are within the boundaries of the constellation Ursa Major.

And, sorry, I'll correct you a little. Polaris is the alpha of Ursa Minor.

One of the most beautiful and most recognizable constellations in the northern hemisphere of the sky is the constellation Big Dipper. On a clear night, seven main stars stand out brightly, but in fact, 125 can be distinguished with the naked eye. There are many double stars in the constellation. The most famous, by which visual acuity is determined, is Mizar and Alcor which means horse and rider.



But the North Star is part of Ursa Minor.

Big Dipper- one of the most famous, most noticeable and largest constellations of the sky. It is especially well observed in the northern hemisphere, as it belongs to the circumpolar constellations (it can be observed all year round, especially part of the constellation - the Big Dipper).

There are a huge number of stars in the constellation Ursa Major.

If we talk about the Big Dipper (as part of the constellation), then the most noticeable to the naked eye are 7 stars that make up the handle of the bucket and the bucket itself. It is noteworthy that the middle star of the bucket handle is a star Mizar is a double star (together with a less noticeable rider - the star Alcor. Therefore, it is worth talking about 8 stars of the Big Dipper. Although there are actually many more stars in the constellation.

In the Big Dipper seven stars. By their arrangement, they resemble a large bucket with a handle.

Moreover, each star in this constellation has its own name:



Three names can be seen in the picture:

• Benetash (translated from Arabic means the leader of the mourners),
• Aliot (translation unknown)
• Dubhe (translated as bear).

The rest have the following names:

• Merak (?) translates as loins,
• Fekda (?) in the translation of the thigh,
• Megrec (?) means the beginning of the tail,
• Mizar (?) is translated as a sash.

• I remember, sitting at an astronomy lesson, the teacher told us about this or that constellation. A separate lesson was about the Big Dipper. They told me where to look, where exactly to look. Separately, they forced me to write in a notebook the stars that are in the Big Dipper.

  Benetash, Aliot, Duhbe, Merak, Fekda, Megrets, Mizar.

  These are the school times =) It was interesting

  And it's good that there were no control tests in astronomy

  And so much knowledge ... =)

  If we talk about the stars that make up the constellation Ursa Major, then there are exactly seven of them, you should not count double stars as two, since they still cannot be separated by an eye. In extreme cases, you can consider the eighth star of the constellation the star Alcor, which is seen next to Mizar. in ancient times, this pair of stars was called a horse and a rider, and it was believed that a person who was able to see Alcor had excellent eyesight. If we count the stars that are located and can be observed in the area occupied by the constellation Ursa Major, then there are really a lot of such stars. The constellation includes more than 200 stars that can be seen with a simple telescope. And how much you can see through the Herschel telescope is scary to even imagine. But still, I repeat, the constellation itself is formed by only 7 stars.

  

  A person with normal vision can see about a hundred stars. With the help of instruments, you can see thousands of stars. The constellation also includes the stars of galaxies, in which there are also many thousands of stars. And how many stars do we just not observe? And there are seven stars in the bucket, one of them is double.

> Ursa Major

An object	Designation	Meaning of the name	Object type	magnitude
1	M40	No	double star	8.40
2	M81	Bode Galaxy	spiral galaxy	6.90
3	M82	Cigar	barred spiral galaxy	8.40
4	M97	Owl Nebula	planetary nebula	9.90
5	M101	pinwheel	spiral galaxy	7.90
6	M108	No	spiral galaxy	10.00
7	M109	No	spiral galaxy	9.80
8	Aliot	"Black Horse"	Blue and white subdwarf	1.77
9	Dubhe	"Big Bear's Back"	Blue and white subdwarf	1.79
10	Benetnash	"Leader of the Wailers"	blue subgiant	1.86
11	Mizar	"Belt"	blue subgiant	2.27
12	Merak	"Groin"	blue subgiant	2.37
13	Fekda	"Bear's Thigh"	blue subgiant	2.44
14	Psi Ursa Major	No	orange giant	3.01
15	Iota Ursa Major	"Third Northern"	Blue subdwarf	3.14
16	Theta Ursa Major	No	Double star system	3.17
17	Megrets	"The base of the tail"	blue subgiant	3.31
18	Omicron Ursa Major	"Bear Face"	double star	3.35
19	Lambda Ursa Major	"Second North"	Blue subdwarf	3.45
20	Nude Ursa Major	"First Northern"	orange giant	3.48
21	Mu Ursa Major	"Second South"	blue subgiant	3.57
22	Kappa Ursa Major	No	Double star system	3.60
23	X Ursa Major	No	orange giant	3.69
24	Upsilon Ursa Major	No	Double star system	3.78
25	Xi Ursa Major	"First South"	Double star system	3.79
26	Alcor	"Forgotten"	blue subgiant	4.01

How to find constellation Ursa Major in the northern sky: a map of the starry sky, a description with a photo and a diagram, myth, facts, Messier objects, main stars, the Big Dipper.

Ursa Major - constellation, which is located in the northern sky and from Latin "Ursa Major" is translated as "big bear".

Ursa Major in the sky is the largest northern constellation and the third in the general list. Bright stars create an asterism recognizable by all - the Big Dipper, a photo of which can be found on the site. He was known in many cultures, so many myths were created. In the second century, Ptolemy cataloged it.

Myth, facts, position and map of the constellation Ursa Major

Ursa Major is not only a large, but also a very ancient constellation, which was mentioned by Homer in the Bible. There are so many stories and fairy tales around the world. The ancient Greeks believed that we are talking about Callisto - a beautiful nymph who took a vow of celibacy in the temple of Artemis. But Zeus fell in love with her, seduced her and her son Arkas appeared.

When Artemis found out about this, she drove Callisto away. But then the angry Hera (wife of Zeus) came into play. She was so offended by the betrayal that she turned the nymph into a bear. In this guise, the girl spent 15 years living in the forest and hiding from hunters. But Arkas grew up and one day they collided. Arkas was frightened and pulled out a spear, but Zeus managed in time and sent both of them into the sky with a whirlwind. Of course, this angered Hera even more. She asked the Ocean and Tethys not to let the bear swim in the northern waters. That is why Ursa Major never sets beyond the horizon in northern latitudes.

According to another story, the punishment came from Artemis. After many years, Callisto and Arkas are captured together and go to King Lycaon as a gift. But they escape and hide in the temple of Zeus. God saves them and sends them to heaven.

There is also a completely different myth about Adastreya. She was a nymph who took care of Zeus as an infant. His father Cronus obeyed the oracle's prediction (the child will overthrow the father) and killed all his children. But Rhea (mother) slipped a stone instead of Zeus and saved the baby. Adastraya, along with Ida, fed and looked after him, and in gratitude he sent them to heaven.

The Romans called the constellation Ursa Major "Septentrio" - "seven plows of oxen", although only two of them displayed bulls, and the rest - a cart. In the Big Dipper they saw different animals: a camel, a shark, a skunk, as well as objects: a sickle, a cart, a canoe. The Chinese name the 7 stars Qiyh Sing after the government. The Hindus had 7 wise men, and the constellation is called Saptarshi.

In some Indian tales, Ursa Major depicted a large bear, and the stars were warriors who declared a hunt for him. It drops low in autumn, so it is believed that the leaves turn red due to blood dripping from the wounds of the animal.

In late American history, the constellation represented the railroad that the slaves used to find their way north. There are many songs that the liberated sang in the south, dreaming of a new life.

Facts, position and map of the constellation Ursa Major

With an area of ​​​​1280 square degrees, the constellation Ursa Major is in third place in terms of size. Covers the second quadrant in the northern hemisphere (NQ2). Can be found in latitudes from +90° to -30°. Adjacent to , and .

Big Dipper
Lat. Name	Ursa Major
Reduction	UMa
Symbol	Big Dipper
right ascension	from 7 h 58 m to 14 h 25 m
declination	from +29° to +73° 30’
Square	1280 sq. degrees (3rd place)
brightest stars (value< 3 m )	Aliot (ε UMa) - 1.76 m Dubhe (α UMa) - 1.81 m Benetnash (η UMa) - 1.86 m Mizar (ζ UMa) - 2.23 m Merak (β UMa) - 2.34 m Fekda (γ UMa) - 2.41 m
meteor showers	Ursids Leonids-Ursids April Ursids
neighboring constellations	The Dragon Giraffe Small Lion Veronica's hair Hounds Dogs Bootes
The constellation is visible at latitudes from +90° to -16°. The best time for observation is March.

The main stars of the constellation Ursa Major

You could see in the photo what the constellation Ursa Major looks like in the sky, but let's study its stars and the famous asterism.

Asterism - Big Dipper

The Big Dipper is one of the most recognizable asterisms in the night sky and has been featured in many cultures. In addition, it is also useful in navigation, because it indicates the path to the North Star, which is part of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor).

If you follow an imaginary line from Merak to Dubhe and continue the arc, you will reach the Pole Star.

In the same way, an imaginary line leads to the bright star Arcturus (Boötes) and Spica (Virgo).

Ursa Major consists of 7 stars: Dubhe (Alpha), Merak (Beta), Fekda (Gamma), Megrets (Delta), Aliot (Epsilon), Mizar (Zeta) and Alkaid (Eta).

Aliot(Epsilon Ursa Major) is the brightest star in the constellation (A0pCr) with an apparent visual magnitude of 1.76 and a distance of 81 light years. It stands at the 31st position in brightness among all stars. The spectrum resembles a Canis Alpha-2 type variable with fluctuations in spectral lines of 5.1 days.

Included in the Ursa Major Moving Group of Stars (general speed and origin). In 1869, the group was found by the English astronomer Richard A. Proctor, who guessed that all the stars of the constellation, except for Alkaid and Dubhe, share a common regular movement, heading towards a point in the constellation Sagittarius.

The traditional name comes from the Arabic word alyat - "fat tail of a sheep" (the star is in a bear's tail).

Dubhe(Alpha Ursa Major) is a spectroscopic double star (K1 II-III) with an apparent magnitude of 1.79 and a distance of 123 light years. The companion is a main sequence star (F0 V) with an orbital period of 44.4 years at a distance of 23 AU.

At 900,000 a.u. a binary system is located from the main pair, which makes the star a four-star system.

The name comes from the Arabic dubb - "bear". Not included in the Ursa Major Moving Group of Stars.

Merak(Beta Ursa Major) is a main sequence star (A1 V) with a visual magnitude of 2.37 and a distance of 79.7 light years. There is a dusty disk that occupies 27% of the earth's mass.

The star is 2.7 times more massive than the Sun, 2.84 times larger in radius, and 68 times brighter. It is a member of the Ursa Major Moving Group of Stars and is a suspected variable star.

The name is translated from Arabic as "loins".

Alkaid(Eta Ursa Major) is a young main sequence star (B3 V) with an apparent visual magnitude of 1.85 and a distance of 101 light years. It ranks third in brightness in the constellation and 35th among all stars. It is the easternmost star in the asterism. At a surface temperature of 20,000 K, it can be seen with the naked eye. Reaches 6 solar masses and is 700 times brighter. Does not belong to the Ursa Major Moving Group of Stars.

Despite its position in brightness, Bayer named it "Eta" because he named the stars from west to east. The name is taken from the Arabic phrase qā "id bināt na" sh, which means "leader of the daughters of the pier."

Fekda(Gamma Ursa Major) is a main sequence star (A0 Ve) with a visual magnitude of 2.438 and a distance of 83.2 light years. It has a gas envelope that adds emission lines to its spectrum. Age - 300 million years. It is the lower left star in the Dipper and is 8.5 light-years distant from the Mizar-Alcor system. Refers to the Moving Group of Ursa Major.

The traditional name comes from the Arabic phrase fakhð ad-dubb, "bear's thigh".

Megrets(Delta Ursa Major) is a main sequence star (A3 V) with a visual magnitude of 3.312 and a distance of 58.4 light years. 63% more solar mass and 14 times brighter. There is an excess of infrared radiation, indicating disk debris in orbit.

Of the 7 bright stars, this is the weakest. "Megrets" is translated from Arabic as "base" (the base of the bear's tail).

Mizar(Zeta Ursa Major) - a system of two double stars, located in second place from the end. The apparent magnitude is 2.23, and the distance is 82.8 light years. Became the first photographed double star. It happened in 1857 thanks to the American photographer and inventor John A. Whipple and the astronomer George P. Bond. They used a wet collodion plate and a 15-inch refractor telescope at the Harvard College Observatory. Bond also photographed the star Vega (Lyra) in 1850.

The name comes from the Arabic mīzar - "belt".

Alcor(80 Ursa Major) - visual companion for Mizar (A5V) Both stars are sometimes referred to as "Horse and Rider". The visual magnitude is 3.99, and the distance is 81.7 light years. She is also called Suha ("forgotten") and Arundhati in India. In 2009, they found a binary system.

Belongs to the Moving group of stars Ursa Major. The distance between it and Mizar is 1.1 light years.

W Ursa Major is a binary system represented by nearby stars with an orbital period of 0.3336 days. They are so close that their outer shells are in direct contact. Periodically, they outshine each other, and reduce the brightness. The apparent magnitude of the system fluctuates between 7.75 and 8.48. Spectral class - F8V.

This is the prototype for both the W variables of Ursa Major.

Messier 40(M40, Winnecke 4, WNC 4) is a binary star with fluctuations in apparent visual magnitude from 9.55 to 10.10. Located 510 light years away. It was registered in 1764 by Charles Messier, who was looking for a nebula previously reported by Jan Hevelius. In 1863, the star was discovered by Friedrich August Theodor Winnecke.

47 Ursa Major- a main sequence star (G1V) with an apparent magnitude of 5.03 and a distance of 45.9 light years. It is a solar analogue with a similar mass, slightly hotter and reaches 110% iron.

In 1996, a planet 2.53 times the size of Jupiter was found. Two more planets were discovered in 2002 and 2010.

Nu and Xi Ursa Major - "first jump"

Alula Northern (Nu Ursa Major) is a double star visible to the naked eye. The apparent magnitude is 3.490, and the distance is 399 light years. This is a giant (K3 III), whose radius is 57 times greater than the sun and 775 times brighter. The name "Alula Borealis" comes from the Arabic word al-Ūlā - meaning "first (jump)", and the Latin "Borealis" - northern.

Alula South (Xi Ursa Major) is a star system discovered in 1780 by William Herschel. It is represented by main sequence dwarfs (G0 Ve) with a combined magnitude of 3.79 (4.32 and 4.84), and a distance of 29 light years.

This is a variable star RS Canis Venichi (near binary stars with large spots created by the active chromosphere). Spots cause the brightness to change by 0.2 magnitudes.

Each of the two objects of the Xi system acts as a spectroscopic twin and is accompanied by a low-mass companion. In 1828, Xi became the first binary star whose orbit could be calculated.

Nu and Xi are the first of three star pairs, which the ancient Arabs called "gazelle jumps".

Taniya North (Lambda) and Taniya South (Mu) - "second jump"

Lambda Ursa Major is a star (A2 IV - losing mass and turning into a giant) with an apparent magnitude of 3.45 and a distance of 138 light years.

Mu Ursa Major is a red giant (M0) located 230 light years away. The visual magnitude is 3.06. It is a semi-regular variable star whose brightness ranges from 2.99 to 3.33. Accompanied by a visual companion 1.5 AU distant.

Talita North (Iota) and Talita South (Kappa) - "the third jump"

Iota Ursa Major is a star system represented by two double stars: a white subgiant (A7 IV), which is a spectroscopic binary object, and stars of the 9th and 10th magnitudes. When the B component was noticed in 1841, the two binary stars were separated by 10.7 arcseconds. Now this distance is 4.5 arc seconds. The orbital period is 818 years. The system is 47.3 light years distant from us.

Kappa Ursa Major is a double star represented by two A-type main sequence dwarfs with visual magnitudes of 4.2 and 4.4. The apparent magnitude of the system is 3.60, and the distance is 358 light years.

Muscida(Omicron Ursa Major) is a multiple star system (G4 II-III - between a giant and a bright giant) with an apparent visual magnitude of 3.35 and a distance of 179 light years. The traditional name means "snout".

Groombridge 1830- subdwarf (G8V), located at 29.7 light years. In the early 19th century, it was found and recorded by the British astronomer Stephen Groombridge (published in 1838).

At the time of discovery, it was the star with the highest proper motion. Went to third after discovering Kapteyn's Star and Barnard's Star.

It is a halo star moving in the opposite direction of the galaxy's rotation. Usually such specimens are poor in metal, because they formed at an earlier age of the galaxy. Most halo stars are located above or below the galactic plane. Age - 10 billion years. They have highly eccentric orbits and high space velocity.

Lalande 21185- a red dwarf (M2V) with an apparent magnitude of 7.520 (cannot be found without technology) and a distance of 8.11 light years. This is the fourth closest star system to ours after Alpha Centauri, Barnard's Star and Wolf 359. In 19900 years, it will approach the Sun at 4.65 light years.

This is the BY Dragon variable and is a known X-ray source.

Psi Ursa Major- an orange giant (K1 III) with a visual magnitude of 3.01 and a distance of 144.5 light years. The Chinese call him Tian Zang or Ta Zun - "extremely honorable."

Celestial objects of the constellation Ursa Major

Bode Galaxy(M81, NGC 3031) is a bright, large spiral galaxy 11.8 light-years away. Apparent magnitude - 6.94 (very popular among beginners and amateur astronomers).

The apparent size is 26.9 x 14.1 arc minutes. In March 1993, a supernova was observed - SN 1993J.

It was discovered by German astronomer Johann Bode in 1774. In 1779, Charles Messier re-identified her and added her to the catalog.

It is the largest galaxy in the M81 group (34 galaxies), located 10 degrees northwest of the star Dubhe (Alpha Ursa Major).

It interacts with the neighboring galaxies Messier 82 and with the smaller NGC 3077. Because of this, all lost hydrogen gas and formed gaseous filamentary structures. In addition, star formation has been activated, caused by interstellar gas entering the centers of Messier 82 and NGC 3077.

Galaxy Cigar(M82, NGC 3034) is an edge galaxy with an apparent magnitude of 8.41 and a distance of 11.5 million light years.

Star formation in the galactic core is 10 times faster than star formation in the entire Milky Way. M82 is also 5 times brighter. In 2005, Hubble found 197 massive star clusters in the central region.

M82 displays infrared excess and is the brightest galaxy in the sky when viewed in infrared light.

It is believed to have experienced at least one tidal collision with Messier 81 in the past. Because of this, over the past 200 million years, a huge amount of gas has entered its core and increased star formation by 10 times.

Owl Nebula(M97, NGC 3587) is a planetary nebula with an apparent magnitude of 9.9 and a distance of 2600 light years. In the center is a star of the 16th magnitude.

In 1781, the nebula was discovered by Pierre Méchain. Age - 8000 years. It got its name because it looks like an owl's eye when viewed through a telescope.

pinwheel(M101, NGC 5457) is a grand design spiral galaxy observed by the face. The apparent magnitude is 7.86, and the distance is 20.9 million light years. In August 2011, they found a type Ia supernova (an explosion of a white dwarf star) - SN 2011fe.

Pierre Méchain discovered the galaxy in 1781 and was later added to the catalog by Charles Messier. Méchain described it as "a nebula without a star, very obscure and quite large - from 6" to 7" in diameter".

It covers 170,000 light-years in diameter (70% larger than the Milky Way). Hosts a number of large, bright H II regions and hot newborn stars.

There are 5 companion galaxies: NGC 5474, NGC 5204, NGC 5477, NGC 5585 and Holmberg IV. Most likely, the grand design was created due to contact with them.

(M108, NGC 3556) is a barred spiral galaxy discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781. We see almost the edge. It has a visual magnitude of 10.7 and a distance of 45,000 light years.

It is an isolated member of the Ursa Major Cluster (within the Virgo Supercluster). M108 contains approximately 290 globular clusters and 83 X-ray sources.

In 1969, a type 2 supernova, 1969B, was observed.

(M109, NGC 3992) is a barred spiral galaxy with an apparent magnitude of 10.6 and a distance of 83.5 million light-years. It is located southeast of Gamma Ursa Major. In 1781, Pierre Mechain found it, and after 2 years Charles Messier added it to the catalog.

In 1956, a type Ia supernova, SN 1956A, was discovered. There are also 3 satellite galaxies: UGC 6923, UGC 6940 and UGC 6969.

It is the brightest galaxy in the M109 group (contains over 50 galaxies).

NGC 5474 is a dwarf galaxy located near M101, with which it interacts. Shows signs of a spiral structure. The visual magnitude is 11.3, and the distance is 22 million light years.

Due to tidal interactions with M101, the disk shifts away from the core and activates star birth. You can explore the constellation Ursa Major more closely by using our online 3D models and telescope. For independent search, a static or moving map of the starry sky is suitable.

The constellation Ursa Major is located in the northern hemisphere of the starry sky.. People have known it for thousands of years. The astronomers of Egypt, Babylon, China and Ancient Greece knew him. It was included by Claudius Ptolemy in his monograph Almagest as early as the 2nd century. And this work combined all the knowledge of astronomy at that time.

If we talk about mythology, then the ancient Greeks associated this constellation with the myth of the nymph Callisto. Zeus, the god of thunder and lightning, drew attention to her. It is not known whether his feeling for the nymph was mutual or not, but she soon gave birth to a boy Arcade. The proud goddess Hera, the wife of the loving Thunderer, found out about this. In a fit of jealousy, she turned Callisto into a bear.

Time passed, Arkad became a teenager and one day he met his mother in the forest. But he did not guess this, because before him stood a furry beast. The young man raised his bow, about to shoot an arrow at him. However, Zeus, tormented by remorse, did not allow his former mistress to be killed. Directly from heaven, he extended his divine hand, grabbed the bear by the tail and lifted her into the blue sky. This is how a new constellation appeared in the sky, which was once the beautiful nymph Callisto.

This education includes 7 stars. If you connect them with a straight line, you get a figure that resembles a bucket with a handle. Each star has its own name. At the top of the bucket, opposite the handle, there is a star called Dubhe. It is the second brightest among its cosmic counterparts. This is a multiple star. That is, several stars from the Earth are seen as one due to the close distance to each other.

In this case, we are dealing with 3 stars. The largest of them is a red giant. That is, the core has already lost all its reserves of hydrogen, and a thermonuclear reaction is taking place on the surface of the star. It dies, and over time should turn into a white dwarf or become a black hole. The other two stars are Main Sequence stars, that is, the same as our Sun.

On the same straight line with Dubhe, at the base of the ladle, is the star Merak. This is a very bright light. It is 69 times brighter than our Sun, but due to the vast space it does not make the proper impression. If the straight line between Merak and Dubhe is extended towards the constellation Ursa Minor, then you can rest against the North Star. It is located at a distance that is 5 times the distance between the indicated luminaries.

The other extreme lower point of the bucket is called Fekda. This is a Main Sequence star. The upper point of the bucket opposite it is called Megrets. She is the dullest in a friendly company. This star is almost 1.5 times larger than our star and 14 times brighter.

At the beginning of the handle is the star Aliot. It is the brightest in the constellation Ursa Major. Among all the visible stars in the sky, it ranks 33rd in brightness. From the end of the handle, it is the third in a row, and the second is the star Mizar. Next to it is another luminary, which is called Alcor. Anyone with good eyesight can see it. They say that in ancient times, Alcor was used to test the visual acuity of young boys who aspired to become sailors. If a young man could see this star next to Mizar, then he was enlisted as a sailor.

In reality, not 2 stars, but as many as 6 shine in the space distance. These are the double stars Mizar A and Mizar B, as well as the double star Alcor. But from the Earth, with the naked eye, only a large bright dot and a small one, which is nearby, are visible. These are the surprises sometimes presented by space.

And finally, the most extreme star. It's called Benetnash or Alkaid. All these names are taken from the Arabic language. In this case, the literal translation means "the leader of the mourners." That is, the al-qaid is the leader, and our banat is the mourners. This luminary is the third brightest after Aliot and Dubhe. It ranks 35th among the brightest stars in the sky.

This is how you can characterize the constellation Ursa Major, known since ancient times. This space region also includes many galaxies. For example, the Pinwheel galaxy. It is better known as M 101. In size, it exceeds the Milky Way. Her detailed pictures were taken by the Hubble telescope at the beginning of the 21st century. To get to this huge cluster of stars, you need to spend 8 million light years.

The Owl Nebula is also of interest. It enters our galaxy and looks like 2 dark spots located side by side. In 1848, Lord Ross considered these spots to be like the eyes of an owl. That's where the name came from. This nebula is about 6 thousand years old, and it is located at a distance of 2300 light years from the solar system.

But the most interesting thing is that the constellation Ursa Major is considered as one of the likely sources of extraterrestrial intelligence. In this part of space there is a certain star named 47UMa. It is a yellow dwarf, and its planetary system is very similar to our solar system. At least, today 3 planets are known that revolve around this star. In 2003, a radio message was sent to him. Earthlings are persistently looking for brothers in mind, and stubborn ones are always lucky.

Big Dipper

Big Dipper\ Ursa Major is a constellation in the northern hemisphere of the sky. The seven stars of Ursa Major make up a figure resembling a ladle with a handle. The two brightest stars, Aliot and Dubhe, have magnitudes of 1.8 apparent magnitudes. According to the two extreme stars of this figure (α and β), you can find the Polar Star. The best visibility conditions are in March-April. It can be seen throughout Russia all year round (with the exception of the autumn months in southern Russia, when the Big Dipper descends low to the horizon). The number of stars brighter than 6.0m is 125.

First classification - Yerk classification with allowance for luminosity (MCC). An additional factor affecting the shape of the spectrum is the density of the outer layers of the star, which in turn depends on its mass and density, that is, ultimately, on the luminosity. SrII, BaII, FeII, TiII depend especially strongly on the luminosity, which leads to a difference in the spectra of giant stars and dwarfs of the same Harvard spectral types. The dependence of the type of spectrum on luminosity is reflected in the newer Yerkes classification developed at the Yerkes Observatory by W. Morgan, F. Keenan and E. Kelman, also called the ICC after the initials of its authors. In accordance with this classification, the star is assigned the Harvard spectral type and luminosity class:


Second classification - Basic (Harvard) spectral classification, developed at the Harvard Observatory in 1890-1924, is a temperature classification based on the shape and relative intensity of absorption and emission lines in the spectra of stars. Within a class, stars are divided into subclasses from 0 (hottest) to 9 (coldest). The Sun has a spectral type of G2 and an equivalent photosphere temperature of 5780 K.

Stars of the constellation Ursa Major

Aliot\ Epsilon Ursa Major (ε Ursae Majoris) is the brightest star in the constellation. It is located on the 33rd place in brightness among all the stars in the visible part of the sky. Alioth is located at a distance of 80.84 light years from Earth. The star - A0pCr - is a white variable star of the type α² Canis Hounds. It has a strong magnetic field (100 times stronger than Earth's) that splits the various elements of the star's hydrogen fuel, then the angle of the spin axis to the magnetic field axis combines the various elements, sorted by magnetic properties, into a single line visible between Alioth and Earth. The elements react differently with different frequencies of light, refracting it, which is why Aliot has extremely strange spectral lines that fluctuate with a period of 5.1 days. In the case of Aliot, the axes of rotation and the magnetic field are at an angle of almost 90 degrees to each other. The temperature of the star is 9400K.

Dubhe(α Ursae Majoris) is the second brightest star. Dubhe is a multiple star, the main component is the orange giant K0III, which is in the helium burning stage. Its temperature is 6400K. The star is 300 times brighter than the Sun and 15 times larger in diameter. The second F0V and the third F8 star are main sequence stars. The distance between stars A and B is 23 AU, A and C is 8000 AU. Dubhe is located at a distance of about 123.5 sv. years.

Benetnash\ This (η Ursae Majoris) is a blue-white B3 V main sequence star. Benetnash is already 10 million years old. The star is at a distance of about 100 sv. years from the Sun. Its temperature is 22,000K. It is 6 times larger than the Sun and 1350 times the luminosity.

Mizar - Alcor (ζ UMa) - a system of stars from 6 components. Two stars Mizar A, 2 stars Mizar B and 2 stars Alcor. The main stars are Alcor and Mizar.

Mizar is an A1V dwarf. It is located at a distance of about 78.07 light years. Its temperature is 9000K. Mizar B has magnitude 4.0 and spectral type A7, the distance between Mizar A and Mizar B is 380 AU. That is, the period of circulation is several thousand years.

Alcor is the magnitude of Alcor 4.02, spectral type A5 V. The distance between Mizar and Alcor is more than a quarter of a light year. It is located at a distance of 81.06 St. years. Its temperature is 8200K.

Merak\ Beta Ursae Majoris (β Ursae Majoris) - A1V dwarf. 3 times the mass of the sun and 2 times the radius of the sun. It is 68 times greater than the luminosity of the Sun. Temperature - 9400K. It is located at a distance of 79.32 light years (24.4 parsecs).

Fekda\ Gamma Ursae Majoris (γ Ursae Majoris) - dwarf A0Ve SB. The mass is 2.7 times greater than the Sun, as well as the radius is 3 times greater. Its temperature is 9800K. She is at a distance of 83.55 St. years (25.5 parsecs) It is surrounded by a shell of gas. The star rotates very fast, its speed is 178 km/s. Its age is estimated at 300 million years.

Megrets\ Delta (δ Ursae Majoris) - dwarf A3 V. Megrets is 63% larger than the mass of the Sun, 1.4 times the radius of the Sun. It shines 14 times more and its temperature is 9480K. She has a 16 amp throttle. e. The star has 2 weak companions.

Taniya North \ Lambda (λ Ursae Majoris) - white subgiant A2 IV. It is removed at a distance of 134.2 sv. years (42 parsecs) from Earth. It is now 410 million years old. The star has 240% of the mass and 230% of the radius of the Sun and radiates 37% more. Its temperature is 9100K.

Taniya South \ Mu Ursae Majoris (μ Ursae Majoris) is a red giant M0 IIIab. Its radius is 75 times larger than the Sun. Its temperature is about 3700K. The star is located at 248.5 St. years. The star is a semi-regular variable, but after additional observations, it is believed that the star has a companion with a rotation period of 230 days.

Talita North \ Talitha Borealis (ι Ursae Majoris) - white subgiant A7 IV. It is located at a distance of 47.68 St. years (14.5 parsecs). Iota consists of three components: Iota Ursa Major A, 9th magnitude Iota Ursa Major B (M1 V) and 10th magnitude Iota Ursa Major C (/M1 V). These two stars revolve around each other with a period of 39.7 years and are separated by about 0.7 arcseconds. Iota A is 1.7 times larger in mass and 1.5 times larger in radius than the Sun. Its temperature is 7900K. The luminosity is 9 times greater than the Sun.

Talita South \ Kappa (κ Ursae Majoris) is a double star. Both stars are white dwarfs A0IV-V + A0V. The orbital period of revolution is from 36 to 74 years. These stars are 422.5 light years away from us. Their temperature is about 9400K. Both stars will become subgiants. Each star rotates over 201 km/s. (about 3 days). Brightness 290/250 solar.

Alula North\ Nu (ν Ursae Majoris) - is a double star. The main star is the orange giant K3 III. Its luminosity is 1355 times greater than the Sun, and its radius is 76 times greater. The temperature is around 4300K. And the mass is 4 times that of the Sun. The stars are distant from us at a distance of 420.9 sv. years. The second star is a G1V yellow dwarf whose luminosity is 30% greater than that of the Sun.

Alula South\ Xi (ξ Ursae Majoris) is a star system. That this is a double system was understood by William Herschel on May 2, 1780. It was the first visual binary star, whose orbit was calculated by Felix Savary in 1828. The two stars are G0 Ve/G0 Ve yellow dwarfs of the main sequence. They are classified as Variable RS Hounds. The temperature of the stars is ~5900 K. Their mass, radius and luminosity are only slightly higher than the Sun, and their metallicities are also similar. Each star has a companion. The star Alula Aa has an M3 class companion. Alula Ba has a companion - a brown dwarf or a red dwarf, and even an orange dwarf. In addition, astrometric data indicate the existence of a third companion in this subsystem. The stars are 33.94 light years away from us.

Alkafzah\ Chi (χ Ursae Majoris) - orange giant K0.5IIIb. It is located at a distance of about 195.8 sv. years from Earth. The star is 20 times the radius of the Sun. Its temperature is 4700K. It shines 172 times stronger than the Sun. Its rotation speed is 1.15 km/s. (1000 days). The star is at least 1000 million years old.

Tien Tsan\Psi (ψ Ursae Majoris) - orange giant K1 III. The star is at a distance of 146.7 sv. years from Earth. It is 20 times the radius of the Sun. And radiates 148 times. Temperature - 4500K. Rotation around its axis - 1.1 km / s (1 revolution in 2.6 years). Tien Tsan began its life 300 million years as a blue-white B7 main sequence star and will end its days as a white dwarf with a mass of about 0.7 solar masses.

23 Ursae Majoris- yellow subgiant F0IV. It is located at a distance of 75.41 St. years. Her tempera is 7300K. It shines 14 times more than the Sun and has a radius 2.5 times greater. Rotation speed - 147 km / s (1 revolution - 20.4 hours). The star is a Delta Shield type variable. It has an orange dwarf companion K7v. Mass 0.63 solar.

Muscida\ Omicron (ο Ursae Majoris) is a G4 II–III yellow giant. It is located at a distance of about 183.4 St. years. Its mass is about 2.42 solar masses. The radius is 14 times that of the Sun. Radiates in 138 times more. Its temperature is 5282K. The star has a companion - a red dwarf M1v, which is an X-ray source.

Upsilon(υ Ursae Majoris) is a double star. Main component yellow subgiant F2 IV. This variable star is of the Delta Scuti type. Rotation speed 124 km / s. (1.4 days). Its temperature is 7300 K. The luminosity is 30 times greater than the Sun. The star has a companion - the red dwarf M0V. With a mass of 0.5 solar. The stars are at a distance of 114.9 sv. years from Earth.

φ Ursa Major - subgiant A3IV. It is located at a distance of about 436.1 St. years. Its temperature is 8900K. 2.5 times the mass of the Sun.

Theta(θ Ursae Majoris) is a binary system of stars. The main star is a yellow subgiant F6 IV. They are located at a distance of 43.93 St. years from Earth. It is 141% larger than the Sun and 250% larger in radius. She is already 2.2 billion years old. Its temperature is 6500K. The McDonald Observatory suggests that the star has planets with masses between 0.24 and 4.6 Jupiter masses and orbits between 0.05 and 5.2 AU.

Deep space objects in the constellation Ursa Major


Nebulae

M97- the owl nebula is a planetary nebula. First opener - Pierre Mechain 16.02. 1781 The nebula is located at a distance of 2598 sv. years from us. Photographic magnitude (B) - 12.0. Visible dimensions 3.4" × 3.3". A nebula is a cylindrical ring of light. The Owl Nebula formed 6,000 years ago. The central star now has a mass of 0.7 solar masses and a magnitude of 16. To see the nebula well, you need a telescope from 150 - 200 mm. Size in diameter - 2.2 St. of the year.

galaxies

Galaxy Cigar \ M82 - Irregular galaxy with powerful star formation. Type I0 edge-on. The increased star formation is possibly caused by the gravitational interaction of the Bode Galaxy, this interaction began about 100 million years ago. Due to gravitational interaction, it is believed that it has become incorrect. Infrared study revealed distorted spiral arms. Star formation has been going on for 50 million years. The Hubble telescope has discovered 197 star clusters in the galaxy. The frequency of supernova explosions is once every 10 years. At the center is a black hole 30 million times the mass of the sun. And also discovered the existence of small black holes with a mass of 500 times the mass of the Sun. Most of the stars in the galaxy were born 500 million years ago. The galaxy is at a distance of 12.09 million light years. Redshift - 203 ± 4 km/s. Visible dimensions - 11`.2 × 4`.3. Size across - 39420 St. years.

Bode Galaxy- M81 - spiral galaxy Sb. The first discoverer was Johann Bode in 1774. Much infrared radiation comes from cosmic dust in the spiral arms of the galaxy due to star formation. In 1993, a type IIb supernova erupted in the galaxy. The galaxy is at a distance of 11.7 million km. years. (3.6 parsecs). The galaxy contains about 250 billion stars, fewer than the Milky Way. The Bode Galaxy is in gravitational interaction with the spiral galaxy NGC 3077. This influence tears off a layer of hydrogen from 3 galaxies (M81, M82 and NGC 3077) and leads to star formation in the centers of galaxies. The galaxies M81, M82 are visible through a telescope from 75 mm. To distinguish details, you need a telescope with an aperture of 20 cm or more. The galaxy is at a distance of 12 mil. years. Visible dimensions 24.9" × 11.5". Photographic magnitude mB 7.8. Redshift −0.000140 ± 0.000040. The size in diameter is 86,980 St. years.

Galaxy Pinwheel - M 101 - spiral galaxy SA(sr)c. The first discoverer - Pierre Mechain 03/27/1781. The pinwheel galaxy is very similar to the Milky Way, with pronounced spiral arms and a small, compact bulge. But the Pinwheel is larger than the Milky Way in size. Its diameter is 206,000 St. years. Previously, the Pinwheel galaxy experienced collisions with other galaxies, which follows from some asymmetry. On August 24, 2011, a type Ia supernova erupted in this galaxy. This was the fourth supernova seen from Earth. There were also in 1909, 1951. and 1970 The galaxy is 24.57 million light years away from us. years. (8 megaparsecs). Visible dimensions 27" × 26". Photographic magnitude mB 8.2. Redshift - 0.0013±0.0002. The galaxy can be observed in a telescope with a diameter of 50 mm or more. Under good conditions and a telescope with a diameter of 150 mm or more, you can make out details: stars and spiral arms.

M 108- barred spiral galaxy (Sc). It was discovered by Pierre Mechain on February 16, 1781. The galaxy is visible almost edge-on. This galaxy has a mass of about 125 billion solar masses. And it includes 290 ± 80 globular clusters. With the help of the Chandra X-ray observatory, 83 X-ray sources were found. In the center is a supermassive black hole equal to 24 million solar masses. Photographic magnitude mB 10.6. Redshift +0.002328 ± 0.000003. The galaxy is at a distance of 44.97 million light years. years from us. The size in diameter is 112,000 St. years.

m 109- barred spiral galaxy SB(rs)bc. It is located at a distance of 54.96 million light years from Earth and is removed at 1142 km / s. The first discoverer - Pierre Mechain 04/12/1781. The galaxy has 3 satellites: galaxies UGC 6923, UGC 6940 and UGC 6969, possibly more. In March 1956 A supernova Ia erupted in the galaxy M 109. Photographic magnitude mB 10.6. Redshift +0.003496 ± 0.000010. The size in diameter is 120,000 St. years.

NGC 2768- elliptical galaxy (E6). First discoverer William Herschel 19.04. 1790 Redshift +0.004590 ± 0.000250. Speed ​​- (+1373 ± 5) km / s. Photographic magnitude mB 10.9. Located at a distance of 62.89 million sv. years from Earth. The size in diameter is 117,200 St. years.

NGC 2841- spiral galaxy (Sb). The first discoverer - William Herschel 03/09/1788. It is located at a distance of 51.5 million sv. years from Earth. Redshift +0.002121 ± 0.000003. Photographic magnitude mB 10.1. Visible dimensions 8.1" × 3.5". Size across - 121,400 St. years.

NGC 2976- spiral galaxy Sc/P. The first discoverer - William Herschel 11/8/1801. The galaxy contains many dark bands and stellar clumps closer to the disk. It does not have distinct spiral arms due to gravitational interactions with neighboring galaxies M81 and M82. Photographic magnitude mB 10.8. Redshift +0.000040 ± 0.000070. It is located at a distance of 11.99 million sv. years from Earth. Size across - 20 600 St. years.

NGC 3077- spiral galaxy (Sd). The first discoverer - William Herschel 11/08/1801. The galaxy has an active nucleus. The galaxy is at a distance of 12.96 million light years. years. Photographic magnitude mB 10.6 Apparent dimensions 5.2" × 4.7" Redshift +0.000040 ± 0.000013. The size in diameter is 19,600 St. years.

NGC 3184- barred spiral galaxy (SBc). The first discoverer was William Herschel on March 18, 1787. The galaxy is located at a distance of about 36.84 million sv. years from Earth. NGC 3184 has a high abundance of heavy elements. In 1999, a type II supernova erupted in this galaxy; in addition, NGC 3184 has a high content of heavy metals. Redshift 0.001975. The size in diameter is 79,400 St. years.

NGC 3198- barred spiral galaxy (SBc). The first discoverer was William Herschel on 01/15/1788. Visible dimensions 8.5" × 3.3" Photographic magnitude mB 10.9. It is located at a distance of 47.93 million sv. years. The size in diameter is 118,600 St. years.

NGC 3359- barred spiral galaxy (SBc). The first discoverer was William Herschel on November 28, 1793. Apparent dimensions 7.2" × 4.4" Photographic magnitude mB 11.0 Redshift +0.003376 ± 0.000007. It is located at a distance of 42.38 million sv. years. from the earth. The size in diameter is 88,800 St. years.

NGC 3675- spiral galaxy (Sb). The first discoverer - William Herschel 01/14/1788. Visible dimensions 5.9" × 3.1" Photographic magnitude mB 10.8. Redshift +0.002542 ± 0.000033. It is located at a distance of 67.97 million sv. years from Earth. The size in diameter is 116,800 St. years.

NGC 3726- barred spiral galaxy (SBc). The first discoverer was William Herschel on 02/05/1788. Apparent dimensions 6.0" × 4.1" Photographic magnitude mB 10.9 Redshift +0.002872 ± 0.000027

NGC 3938- spiral galaxy (Sc). Three supernova explosions were registered in the galaxy: SN 1961U, SN 1964L and SN 2005ay. The number of objects registered in NGC 3938 is 164 objects. The galaxy is located at a distance of about 43 million sv. years from Earth. Apparent dimensions 5.4" × 4.9" Photographic magnitude mB 10.8

NGC 3953- spiral galaxy SBbc. The first discoverer was William Herschel on April 12, 1789. Two supernova explosions were registered in the galaxy: SN 2001dp and SN 2006bp. Apparent dimensions 6.9" × 3.6" Photographic magnitude mB 10.6 Redshift +0.003509 ± 0.000027

NGC 4051- spiral galaxy SBbc. The first discoverer was William Herschel on 02/06/1788. At the center of the spiral galaxy NGC 4051 is a supermassive black hole that ejects 2 to 5 percent of the material accreting into it. Visible dimensions 5.2" × 3.9" Photographic magnitude mB 10.8. Redshift +0.002336

NGC 4605- spiral galaxy SBc/P. The first discoverer was William Herschel on April 19, 1790. Apparent dimensions 5.9" × 2.4" Photographic magnitude mB 10.8 Redshift +0.000484 ± 0.000020. It is located at a distance of 17.59 million sv. years from Earth. The size in diameter is 30,200 St. years.

IC 2574(Coddington Nebula) is a dwarf irregular galaxy. It has 2 irregularly shaped sleeves. The galaxy is 2 times smaller than the Milky Way. First discovered by Edward Foster Coddington in 1898. 90% of the galaxy is dark matter. The galaxy is at a distance of 11.76 million sv. years. Visible dimensions 12.3" × 5.9". The size in diameter is 44,040 St. years

Big Dipper- constellation of the northern hemisphere of the sky. The seven stars of Ursa Major make up a figure resembling a ladle with a handle. The two brightest stars, Aliot and Dubhe, have magnitudes of 1.8 apparent magnitudes. According to the two extreme stars of this figure (α and β), you can find the Polar Star. The best visibility conditions are in March-April. It can be seen throughout Russia all year round (with the exception of the autumn months in southern Russia, when the Big Dipper descends low to the horizon).

There are about 125 stars in the constellation, but only seven are called the largest and brightest: Dubhe, Merak, Fekda, Megrets, Aliot, Mizar and Alkaid. Between themselves, they form a bucket, which is visible to the naked eye.

The legend of the appearance of the constellation

In distant Greenland there is also a legend in which the constellation Ursa Major appears. The mythology and history of this cluster is quite popular. But one story has gained the greatest popularity among the Eskimos, about which absolutely everyone tells. It has even been suggested that this legend is not fiction, but the purest truth. In a snowy house, on the very edge of Greenland, lived the great hunter Eriulok. He lived in a hut alone, as he was arrogant, considering himself the best in his field. Therefore, he did not want to communicate with his other compatriots. For many years in a row he went to sea and always returned with rich booty. In his house there was always a lot of food, seal fat, and the walls of his dwelling were decorated with the best skins of walruses, seals and seals.

Eriulok was rich, well-fed, but lonely. And loneliness over time began to burden the great hunter. He tried to make friends with his fellow Eskimos, but they did not want to deal with an arrogant relative. Apparently, he offended them greatly at the time. In desperation, Eriulok went to the Arctic Ocean and called the mistress of the sea depths, the goddess Arnarkuachssak. He told her about himself and his trouble. The goddess promised to help, but in return, Eriulok had to bring her a ladle with magical berries that would restore youth to the goddess. The hunter agreed and went to a distant island, found a cave guarded by a bear. After much torment, he put the forest animal to sleep and stole a ladle of berries. The goddess did not deceive the hunter and gave him a wife, and in return received magical berries.

After all the adventures, Eriulok got married and became the father of a large family, to the envy of all the neighbors in the area. As for the goddess, she ate all the berries, rejuvenated by a couple of hundred centuries, and joyfully threw an empty bucket into the sky, where he, clinging to something, remained hanging.

Stars and asterisms

Ursa Major is the third largest constellation (after Hydra and Virgo), whose seven bright stars form the famous Big Bucket; this asterism has been known since antiquity among many peoples under different names: the Rocker, the Plow, the Elk, the Wagon, the Seven Wise Men, etc. All the stars of the Bucket have their own Arabic names:

• Dubhe(α Ursa Major) means "bear";
• Merak(β) - "lower back";
• Fekda(γ) - "thigh";
• Megrets(δ) - "the beginning of the tail";
• Aliot(ε) - the meaning is not clear (but, most likely, this name means "fat tail");
• Mizar(ζ) - "sash" or "loincloth".
• The last star in the bucket handle is called Benetnash or Alkaid(η); in Arabic, "al-Qaeed banat ours" means "leader of the mourners." This poetic image is taken from the Arab folk interpretation of the constellation Ursa Major.

In the system of naming stars with Greek letters, the order of the letters simply corresponds to the order of the stars.

Another interpretation of asterism is reflected in the alternative name Hearse and Wailers. Here, asterism is thought of as a funeral procession: in front of the mourners, led by a leader, behind them are a funeral stretcher. This explains the name of the star η Ursa Major "the leader of the mourners."

Bucket inner stars

5 inner stars of the Bucket (except for the extreme α and η) really belong to a single group in space - the moving cluster Ursa Major, which moves quite quickly across the sky; Dubhe and Benetnash are moving in the opposite direction, so the shape of the Dipper changes significantly in about 100,000 years.

Stars Merak and Dubhe

They form the wall of the Bucket, are called pointers, since the straight line drawn through them rests on the North Star (in the constellation Ursa Minor). Six stars of the Bucket have a shine of the 2nd magnitude, and only Megrets is of the 3rd magnitude.

Alcor

Next to Mizar, which was the second among the double stars discovered in the telescope (Giovanni Riccioli in 1650; according to the data of the early 2000s, it was probably observed as a double as early as 1617 by Galileo). A keen eye sees a star of magnitude 4 Alcor (80 Ursa Major), which in Arabic means “forgotten”, or “insignificant”. It is believed that the ability to distinguish the star Alcor has been a recognized test of vigilance since ancient times. The pair of stars Mizar and Alcor is often interpreted as an asterism " horse and rider».

Three gazelle jumps

Peculiar asterism Three gazelle jumps of Arabic origin consists of three pairs of closely spaced stars, and the pairs are on the same straight line and separated by equal distances. Associated with hoofprints of a gazelle moving by jumps. Includes stars:

• Alula North and Alula South (v and ξ, first jump),
• Taniya North and Taniya South (λ and μ, second jump),
• Talita North and Talita South (ι and κ, third jump).

Arcturus

Aliot, Mizar and Benetnash form an extended arc that points to Arcturus, the brightest star north of the celestial equator, and also the brightest star visible in the spring in mid-latitudes of Russia. As this arc extends further south, it points to Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo.

Lalande 21185

The red dwarf, located in the Alula Severnaya region and inaccessible to observations with the naked eye, is one of the closest star systems to Earth, only Alpha Centauri, Barnard's star and Wolf 359 are closer to it. Groombridge 1830, which is inferior in its own motion to only Barnard's star and Kapteyn's star, in a hundred years it shifts by about a third of the lunar disk.

Constellation legends. Star of Dubhe

There are a huge number of legends and tales about the cluster of luminaries Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. The following belief goes about the brightest star Dubhe from the constellation Ursa Major. The daughter of King Lycaon, the beautiful Callisto was one of the huntresses of the goddess Artemis. The almighty Zeus fell in love with Callisto, and she gave birth to the boy Arkas. For this, the jealous wife of Zeus, Hera, turned Callisto into a bear. When Arkas grew up and became a hunter, he attacked the trail of a bear and was already preparing to hit the beast with an arrow. Zeus, seeing what was happening, did not allow the murder. It was he who turned Arkas into a smaller bear. The ruler of heaven placed them in the sky so that mother and son would always remain together.

Ursa Major ranks third among the constellations in terms of area, but unusually few variable stars have been found there - for 2011 it is not included in the top ten constellations in this indicator.

• The Hubble Ultra Deep Field was imaged in a region one-twelfth the size of the lunar disk near the star Megrets. As of 2011, this is one of the most detailed images of the starry sky, allowing you to distinguish between many galaxies billions of light years away from Earth.
• Scars in the shape of the constellation Ursa Major on the chest are worn by the character of the popular in many countries anime and manga Hokuto No Ken, Kenshiro. At the moment, only the independent three-part novella "Fist of the North Star: New Era" is available in the official Russian translation.
• The world's first cryonics company is named after a star from the constellation Ursa Major.
• Soviet archaeologist and historian, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Rybakov B.A. in his well-known work he wrote: “The most important constellation of our northern hemisphere - Ursa Major - in the Russian North was called “Elk”, “Prongs” ... The Poles call the North Star the “Moose Star” (Gwiazda Łosiowa). Among the Evenks, the constellation Ursa Major (Ursus Major) is called "Moose Heglen".
• In the animated series "Gravity Falls" on the forehead of the main character Dipper Pines there is a birthmark in the form of this constellation. Because of him, he got the nickname Dipper ( dipper from English - ladle, and the constellation Ursa Major is sometimes called the Big Dipper).

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