The AsterNym star registry
Alula Australis
Alula Australis: the golden star of Ursa Major
golden · Ursa Major · ξ UMa
Alula Australis is a golden star, warmer-toned than our Sun 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. Alula Australis 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
Alula Australis at a glance
- Constellation
- Ursa Major
- Other name
- ξ UMa
- Catalogue number
- HIP 55203
- Distance
- ≈ 29 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 4.41 naked-eye
- Star type
- G0V
- Colour
- golden
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 11h 18m 11s
- Declination
- +31° 31′ 45″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Alula Australis dedication represent?
Alula Australis 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 Alula Australis?
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 58°S.
Alula Australis belongs to Ursa Major.
Dedicate Alula Australis to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Alula Australis dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Alula Australis's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Alula Australis keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Alula Australis
- Is Alula Australis the brightest star?
- Alula Australis shines at magnitude 4.41 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Alula Australis?
- Alula Australis is approximately 29 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 29 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Alula Australis?
- Alula Australis is part of Ursa Major.
- Can everyone see Alula Australis?
- 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 58°S.
- Is dedicating Alula Australis an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Alula Australis 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.