Kochab - β Ursae Minoris (beta Ursae Minoris)
Kochab, also designated as β Ursae Minoris (beta Ursae Minoris), is a variable and double giant star of spectral class K4 in the constellation of Ursa Minor.
Kochab visual magnitude is 2.08, making it the 57th brightest star in the sky. Because of its brightness, Kochab is clearly visible to the naked eye when observed from locations with dark skies, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.

Celestial Coordinates
Apparent
J2000
Galactic Coordinates
Finder Chart

Magnitude, Color, Spectral Class
The red dot in the diagram below shows where Kochab is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

Star System Properties
Kochab is a visual double star which can be observed only with the help of very large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the Kochab double sysyem:
Distance, Radial Speed, Proper Motion
Kochab is distant 126.41 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 17 kilometers per second.
Alternative Designations
Visibility from Your Location
Kochab - β Ursae Minoris (beta Ursae Minoris) is circumpolar and transits at 23:03 UTC (altitude: 67.4°)