What it looks like
Ursa Major is the third-largest constellation in the sky, dominating the northern celestial hemisphere. Its seven brightest stars form the Big Dipper (or Plough), an asterism recognisable across much of the world and used for centuries as a navigational guide.
Brightest stars
Ursa Major's seven brightest stars form the Big Dipper; Alioth is the brightest of them, and Mizar is a famous naked-eye double.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alioth (ε Ursae Majoris) | +1.77 | 83 ly | — |
| Dubhe (α Ursae Majoris) | +1.79 | 123 ly | The Bear |
| Alkaid (η Ursae Majoris) | +1.86 | 104 ly | The Leader |
| Mizar (ζ Ursae Majoris) | +2.23 | 83 ly | Apron |
| Merak (β Ursae Majoris) | +2.37 | 80 ly | Loin |
| Phecda (γ Ursae Majoris) | +2.44 | 84 ly | Thigh |
| Megrez (δ Ursae Majoris) | +3.31 | 81 ly | Base of Tail |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Ursa Major is Callisto, a nymph transformed into a bear by a jealous Hera and placed in the sky by Zeus.
Callisto and Arcas
Callisto was a nymph and companion of Artemis who caught the eye of Zeus. When Hera discovered the affair, she transformed Callisto into a bear. Years later, her son Arcas, out hunting, nearly killed the bear before Zeus intervened, turning both mother and son into constellations — Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Hera, still angry, persuaded Poseidon to keep them from ever dipping into the sea.
Many traditions
The seven stars of the Dipper have been named across cultures: the Bear in Greece, the Seven Sages in India, the Wagon in China, and the Great Bear's Tail among the Iroquois. In Norse tradition, they were seen as a wagon or plough.
How to find it
Look for the seven-star Big Dipper in the northern sky; the two stars at the end of the bowl point toward Polaris.
- Follow the two 'pointer stars' of the bowl upward to find Polaris.
- The Dipper is circumpolar from most northern latitudes — visible all year.
- Not visible from the southern hemisphere.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- UMa
- Genitive
- Ursae Majoris
- Meaning
- The Great Bear
- Brightest star
- Alioth
- Main stars
- 7
- Area rank
- 3rd
- Best visible
- April
- Declination
- +55°
- Meteor showers
- Ursids, Leonids-Ursids
- Neighbours
- Draco, Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Canes Venatici, Boötes, Virgo, Leo, Leo Minor, Lynx
Deep-sky objects
Ursa Major contains several bright galaxies: M81 (Bode's Galaxy), M82 (the Cigar Galaxy), M101 (the Pinwheel Galaxy), and the spiral pair M97 (the Owl Nebula). The M81 and M82 pair is a favourite target for amateur astronomers.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Ursa Major look like?
Ursa Major is a large northern constellation known as the Great Bear, containing the famous seven-star Big Dipper asterism that points toward Polaris, the North Star.
What is the brightest star in Ursa Major?
The brightest star in Ursa Major is Alioth, shining at around magnitude 1.77.
When is Ursa Major best visible?
Ursa Major is best seen from northern hemisphere during April.
What is the story behind Ursa Major?
In Greek myth, Ursa Major is Callisto, a nymph transformed into a bear by a jealous Hera and placed in the sky by Zeus.
Which constellations are near Ursa Major?
Ursa Major borders Draco, Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Canes Venatici, Boötes, Virgo, Leo, Leo Minor and Lynx.
Boötes
Cassiopeia