Alkaid
star · Ursa Major · 1.9ᵐ
Blue-white star in Ursa Major.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Alkaid around the year 1922.
About 46 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Alkaid in?
Alkaid lies in Ursa Major.
Is Alkaid visible to the naked eye?
1.9ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Alkaid?
Best observed in April.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 13h 48m · +49° 19′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Ursa Major
- How to observe
- 1.9ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- B3V SB — blue-white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -0.7ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈158 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~104 light years
- Designation
- HIP 67301
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 79° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 84° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 86° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 71° | 29° |
| 0° | 41° | 41° |
| −35° | 6° | 22° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 06:02 |
| February | 03:55 |
| March | 02:09 |
| April | 00:16 |
| May | 22:22 |
| June | 20:16 |
| July | 18:12 |
| August | 16:11 |
| September | 14:18 |
| October | 12:29 |
| November | 10:28 |
| December | 08:20 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.