Preview — this is a sample dedication, shown so you can see what a dedicated star page looks like.
A dedicated star
Merak
white · Ursa Major · β UMa
Dedicated to
Maya
by Her sister, June · August 12, 2026
“You were born on the brightest night of my life. Whenever you feel small, remember: there is a star that has carried your name since before you could read it — and it is still up there, still burning, still yours.”
This dedication
- Dedicated to
- Maya
- Dedicated by
- Her sister, June
- Recorded
- August 12, 2026
- Held until
- August 12, 2027
When this dedication ends, Merak becomes available again. Want it? Put the date in your calendar.
Merak at a glance
- Constellation
- Ursa Major
- Other name
- β UMa
- Catalogue number
- HIP 53910
- Distance
- ≈ 79 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 2.37 naked-eye
- Star type
- A1 V
- Colour
- white
- Best seen from
- The Northern Hemisphere and lower southern latitudes
- Right ascension
- 11h 01m 51s
- Declination
- +56° 22′ 57″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
Where can you see Merak?
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 34°S.
Merak belongs to Ursa Major.
Frequently asked questions about Merak
- Is Merak the brightest star?
- Merak shines at magnitude 2.37 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Merak?
- Merak is approximately 79 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 79 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Merak?
- Merak is part of Ursa Major.
- Can everyone see Merak?
- 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 34°S.
- Is dedicating Merak an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Merak 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.