Ursa Minor, the Little Bear (UMi)

(ER-suh MY-ner)

The Northern constellation of Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, is best viewed in Summer during the month of June. It's brightest star is Polaris at magnitude 1.97. The boundary of the Ursa Minor constellation contains 6 stars that host known exoplanets.

Ursa Minor is a circumpolar constellation, so is visible year-round in the Northern hemisphere. Conversely, it is not visible in the opposite hemisphere unless you are close to the equator.

1. Pronunciation:
2. ER-suh MY-ner

1. Meaning:
2. Little Bear

1. Genitive:
2. Ursae Minoris

1. Abbreviation:
2. UMi

1. Asterism:
2. Little Dipper

1. Constellation Family:
2. Ursa Major

1. Hemisphere:
2. Northern

1. Quadrant:
2. NQ3

1. Best viewing month*:
2. June

1. Circumpolar** (N=northern, S=southern):
2. N circumpolar

1. Right Ascension (avg):
2. 14h 58m

1. Declination (avg):
2. 75° 2'

1. Meteor showers:
2. Ursids

1. Brightest star:
2. Polaris (1.97)

1. Stars with planets:
2. 6

1. Messier catalog objects:
2. |

1. Caldwell catalog objects:
2. |

Brightest Stars in Ursa Minor

The 10 brightest stars in the constellation Ursa Minor by magnitude.

1. Star
2. Magnitude
3. Spectral class

1. Alpha Ursa Minoris (α UMi)
2. 1.97
3. F7:Ib-IIv SB

1. Beta Ursa Minoris (β UMi)
2. 2.07
3. K4IIIvar

1. Gamma Ursa Minoris (γ UMi)
2. 3.04
3. A3II-III

1. Epsilon Ursa Minoris (ε UMi)
2. 4.21
3. G5IIIvar

1. 5 Ursa Minoris (5 UMi)
2. 4.25
3. K4III

1. Zeta Ursa Minoris (ζ UMi)
2. 4.29
3. A3Vn

1. Delta Ursa Minoris (δ UMi)
2. 4.35
3. A1Vn

1. RR Ursa Minoris (RR UMi)
2. 4.63
3. M5III

1. 4 Ursa Minoris (4 UMi)
2. 4.8
3. K3III

1. Eta Ursa Minoris (η UMi)
2. 4.95
3. F5V

Double Stars in Ursa Minor

These are the brightest and easiest-to-find double, triple, and quadruple star systems in the constellation Ursa Minor. Also see all star clusters.

1. Star system
2. Magnitudes
3. Type

1. Alpha Ursa Minoris
2. 2.1, 9.1
3. double

Galaxies in Ursa Minor

The most notable, famous, and easy-to-find galaxies in the constellation Ursa Minor. Also see all galaxies.

1. Galaxy name
2. Alt name
3. Galaxy type

1. Ursa Minor Dwarf
3. spheroidal dwarf

Milky Way Satellites in Ursa Minor

Dwarf satellite galaxies that orbit the Milky Way Galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Minor. Also see all Milky Way satellite galaxies.

1. Galaxy name
2. Alt name
3. Magnitude

1. Ursa Minor Dwarf
3. 11.9

Neutron Stars in Ursa Minor

These are the most well-known neutron stars in the constellation Ursa Minor. Although neutron stars cannot be seen in any amateur telescope, they are at the center of many supernova remnant nebulae, which can be seen. Also see all neutron stars.

1. Neutron star
3. Type

1. Calvera
3. radio-quiet

* Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).