The AsterNym star registry
Alkaid
Alkaid: the blue star of Ursa Major
blue · Ursa Major · η UMa
Alkaid is a blue star in the constellation Ursa Major, one of the few thousand stars bright enough to carry an officially recognised name. On a dark, clear night you can find it with your own eyes.
Most stars in the sky are anonymous points of light. Alkaid is not — it has held a name across generations of sky-watchers, which makes it a rare thing to attach a name of your own to.
Real star · Personal dedication · Recorded in the AsterNym registry
See what a dedicated page looks like — preview
Alkaid at a glance
- Constellation
- Ursa Major
- Other name
- η UMa
- Catalogue number
- HIP 67301
- Distance
- ≈ 104 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 1.85 naked-eye
- Star type
- B3 V
- Colour
- blue
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 13h 47m 32s
- Declination
- +49° 18′ 48″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Alkaid dedication represent?
Alkaid is especially meaningful for someone who:
- · Deserves something older than any gift shop
- · Marks a beginning, an anniversary or a promise
- · Is remembered every time you look up
- · Has a light you want recorded somewhere permanent
Dedication idea
“For the one I think of when I find Ursa Major in the sky.”
Where can you see Alkaid?
It is easy to see from most of the Northern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower southern latitudes, but it never rises for observers south of about latitude 41°S.
Alkaid belongs to Ursa Major.
Dedicate Alkaid to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Alkaid dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Alkaid's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Alkaid keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Alkaid
- Is Alkaid the brightest star?
- Alkaid shines at magnitude 1.85 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Alkaid?
- Alkaid is approximately 104 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 104 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Alkaid?
- Alkaid is part of Ursa Major.
- Can everyone see Alkaid?
- It is easy to see from most of the Northern Hemisphere. It can also appear from lower southern latitudes, but it never rises for observers south of about latitude 41°S.
- Is dedicating Alkaid an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Alkaid keeps its internationally recognised astronomical name. An AsterNym dedication records your personal name and message in the AsterNym registry without changing the star's scientific identity.