Phecda - γ Ursae Majoris (gamma Ursae Majoris)
Phecda, also designated as γ Ursae Majoris (gamma Ursae Majoris), is a variable hypergiant star in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Phecda visual magnitude is 2.44, making it the 87th brightest star in the sky. Thanks to its high brightness, Phecda is clearly visible when observed from locations with dark skies, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.
The proper motion of Phecda is 0.095 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and 0.012 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 1000 years is represented with the red arrow.
Key facts about Phecda
Phecda - γ Ursae Majoris (gamma Ursae Majoris) is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom.
Altitude: 55.2°
Azimuth: 62.6°
Direction: East-North-East
Celestial coordinates and finder chart of Phecda
Phecda 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 Phecda are provided in the following table:
The simplified sky map below shows the position of Phecda in the sky:
Visibility of Phecda from your location
Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Phecda - γ Ursae Majoris (gamma Ursae Majoris) is circumpolar and transits at 20:56 UTC (altitude: 87.8°)
Distance of Phecda from the Sun and relative movement
Phecda is distant 83.61 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 13 kilometers per second.
Spectral properties of Phecda
Phecda belongs to spectral class A0 and has a luminosity class of V corresponding to a hypergiant star.
The red dot in the diagram below shows where Phecda is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
