Merak
star · Ursa Major · 2.3ᵐ
White star in Ursa Major.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Merak around the year 1946.
About 29 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Merak in?
Merak lies in Ursa Major.
Is Merak visible to the naked eye?
2.3ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Merak?
Best observed in March.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 11h 02m · +56° 23′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Ursa Major
- How to observe
- 2.3ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- A1V — white star
- Absolute magnitude
- 0.4ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈59 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~80 light years
- Designation
- HIP 53910
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° | 86° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 89° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 79° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 64° | 16° |
| 0° | 34° | 34° |
| −35° | never rises | — |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 03:16 |
| February | 01:09 |
| March | 23:24 |
| April | 21:30 |
| May | 19:36 |
| June | 17:30 |
| July | 15:26 |
| August | 13:25 |
| September | 11:32 |
| October | 09:43 |
| November | 07:42 |
| December | 05:34 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.