The AsterNym star registry
Alula Borealis
Alula Borealis: the warm orange star of Ursa Major
warm orange · Ursa Major · ν UMa
Alula Borealis is a warm orange giant, far along its stellar life 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 Borealis 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 Borealis at a glance
- Constellation
- Ursa Major
- Other name
- ν UMa
- Catalogue number
- HIP 55219
- Distance
- ≈ 399 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3.49 naked-eye
- Star type
- K3III SB
- Colour
- warm orange
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 11h 18m 29s
- Declination
- +33° 05′ 39″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Alula Borealis dedication represent?
Alula Borealis 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 Borealis?
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 57°S.
Alula Borealis belongs to Ursa Major.
Dedicate Alula Borealis 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 Borealis dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Alula Borealis's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Alula Borealis keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Alula Borealis
- Is Alula Borealis the brightest star?
- Alula Borealis shines at magnitude 3.49 — 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 Borealis?
- Alula Borealis is approximately 399 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 399 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Alula Borealis?
- Alula Borealis is part of Ursa Major.
- Can everyone see Alula Borealis?
- 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 57°S.
- Is dedicating Alula Borealis an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Alula Borealis 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.