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CONSTELLATION OF URSA MAJOR |
Name: Ursa Major
Abbreviation: UMa
Meaning: Great Bear
Right Ascension: 10.67h
Declination: +55.38º
Area (Degrees squared): 1,280
Stars with known planets: 8
Bordering Constellations: Draco, Camelopardalis, Lynx,
Leo Minor, Leo, Coma Berenices,
Canes Venatici, Bootes
The constellation of Ursa Major is one of six circumpolar constellations and, as such, can be seen year round from northern latitudes.
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| Ursa Major |
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| Observations |
Deep SkyObjects:
Altogether Ursa Major contains about 50 galaxies observable through amateur telescopes. Included are:
* M81 - a Spiral Galaxy known as Bode´s Galaxy.
* M82 - a Starburst Galaxy known as The Cigar Galaxy.
* M101 - a Spiral Galaxy known as The Pinwheel Galaxy.
* M108 - a Spiral Galaxy.
* M109 - a Barred Spiral Galaxy.
Other Messier Objects include:
* M40 - a Double Star.
* M97 - a planetary nebula known as The Owl Nebula.
The seven brightest stars of Ursa Major form the well-known asterism known as The Plough in the United Kingdom or
The Big Dipper in the United States and Canada. The shape of The Plough is denoted by red dots, within the constellation drawn in white, on the diagram above.
Numbered Stars with magnitudes:
1. +1.85 - Alkaid
2. +2.20 - Mizar
3. +1.75 - Alioth
4. +3.30 - Megrez
5. +2.40 - Phad
6. +2.30 - Merak
7. +2.00 - Dubhe
8. +3.65
9. +3.35
10. +3.75
11. +5.25
12. +3.15
13. +3.10 - Talitha
14. +4.15
15. +3.45 - Tania Borealis
16. +3.05 - Tania Australis
17. +3.00
18. +3.65
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