Pherkad
star · Ursa Minor · 3.0ᵐ
White star in Ursa Minor.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Pherkad around the year 1539.
About 16 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Pherkad in?
Pherkad lies in Ursa Minor.
Is Pherkad visible to the naked eye?
3.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Pherkad?
Best observed in May.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 15h 21m · +71° 50′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Ursa Minor
- How to observe
- 3.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- A3II-III — white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -2.9ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈1,202 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~487 light years
- Designation
- HIP 75097
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° | 78° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 73° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 63° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 48° · never sets | — |
| 0° | 18° | 18° |
| −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 | 07:35 |
| February | 05:28 |
| March | 03:43 |
| April | 01:49 |
| May | 23:55 |
| June | 21:49 |
| July | 19:45 |
| August | 17:44 |
| September | 15:51 |
| October | 14:02 |
| November | 12:01 |
| December | 09:53 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.