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Megrez - δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris)

Megrez, also designated as δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris), is a variable and multiple main-sequence star in the constellation of Ursa Major.

Megrez visual magnitude is 3.31. Because of its moderate brightness, Megrez should be easily visible from locations with dark skyes, while it can be barely visible, or not visible at all, from skyes affected by light pollution.

The table below summarizes the key facts about Megrez:

Color of Megrez ⬤

Magnitude of Megrez 3.31

Class Main-sequence

VISIBILITY RIGHT NOW Megrez - δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 28°.

Celestial coordinates and finder chart of Megrez

Megrez is situated north of the celestial equator, as such, it is more easily visible from the northern hemisphere. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of Megrez are provided in the following table:

Right Ascension J2000 12h 15m 25s

Declination J2000 +57° 01’ 56”

Galactic Longitude 132.57°

Galactic Latitude 59.42°

Constellation Ursa Major

The simplified sky map below shows the position of Megrez in the sky:

Finder chart Megrez - δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris) star

Simplified finder chart for Megrez - δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris).

Visibility of Megrez from your location

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Megrez - δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris) is circumpolar and transits at 19:47 UTC (altitude: 84.4°)

Digitized Sky Survey image of Megrez

The image below is a photograph of Megrez from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2 - see the credits section) taken in the red channel. The area of sky represented in the image is 0.5x0.5 degrees (30x30 arcmins). The proper motion of Megrez is 0.104 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and 0.009 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 1000 years is represented with the red arrow.

Image of Megrez - δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris) star

DSS2 image of Megrez. The red arrow shows the motion of Megrez during the next 1000 years (1.73 arcmin in Right Ascension and 0.15 arcmin in declination);

Distance of Megrez from the Sun and relative movement

Megrez is distant 81.40 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 13 kilometers per second.

Distance (parsec) 24.97 pc

Distance (light year) 81.40 ly

Heliocentric radial velocity -13 km/s

Proper Motion RA 0.104 arcsec/year

Proper Motion Dec 0.009 arcsec/year

Spectral properties of Megrez

Megrez belongs to spectral class A3 and has a luminosity class of V corresponding to a main-sequence star.

Absolute magnitude 1.32

Spectral Type A3V

Color Index (B-V) 0.08

Temperature of Megrez 9226K

The red dot in the diagram below shows where Megrez is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

H-R diagram showing the position of Megrez. Attribution: Richard Powell / CC BY-SA

Megrez star system properties

Megrez 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 Megrez double sysyem:

Main star magnitude 3.31

Secondary star magnitude 9.91

Magnitude difference 6.6

Separation 189.6 arcsec

Alternative designations of Megrez

Proper Name Megrez

Bayer designation δ Ursae Majoris
(delta Ursae Majoris)

Flamsteed designation 69 Ursae Majoris

Henry Draper Catalogue HD106591

SAO Catalogue SAO28315

Hipparcos Catalogue HIP59774

Durchmusterung Catalogue BD+57 1363

Gliese Catalogue Gl 459

FK5 Catalogue 456

General Catalogue of Variable Stars 5513

In Evidence

Other stars in Ursa Major