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Dubhe

Alpha Ursae Majoris, 50 Ursae Majoris

Orange Star in Ursa Major

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Proper Name	Dubhe
Bayer Designation	Alpha Ursae Majoris
Flamsteed Number	50 Ursae Majoris
HR (BSC)	4301
HD	95689
Constellation	Ursa Major
Right Ascension	11h 3m 44s
Declination	+61° 45' 4"
Distance	123 light years 38 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +1.8 Absolute: -1.1
Spectral Class	K0IIIa orange giant
Optimum Visibility	March (Usually visible from northern latitudes)
Notes	Dubhe (pronounced doob-heh) is a multiple system, in which the primary star Alpha Ursae Majoris A is an orange giant, which is orbited by a less massive F-type bright yellow dwarf. On the fringes of the system, a further pair of dwarf stars orbit one another as they follow a path around the primary giant.

A prominent and relatively bright orange star that belongs to one constellation and two asterisms. It marks the centre of the Great Bear's back (its name means 'bear'), and is also the tip of the Plough's share, and the northern of the two Pointers. It has a faint companion that orbits it every 44 years, and further binary pair in a more distant orbit.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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