Megrez - δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris)
Megrez, also designated as δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris), is a variable and multiple main-sequence star in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Megrez visual magnitude is 3.31. Because of its moderate brightness, Megrez should be easily visible from locations with dark skyes, while it can be barely visible, or not visible at all, from skyes affected by light pollution.
The table below summarizes the key facts about Megrez:
Celestial coordinates and finder chart of Megrez
Megrez is situated north of the celestial equator, as such, it is more easily visible from the northern hemisphere. Celestial coordinates for the J2000 equinox as well as galactic coordinates of Megrez are provided in the following table:
The simplified sky map below shows the position of Megrez in the sky:
Visibility of Megrez from your location
Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Megrez - δ Ursae Majoris (delta Ursae Majoris) is circumpolar and transits at 19:47 UTC (altitude: 84.4°)
Digitized Sky Survey image of Megrez
The image below is a photograph of Megrez from the Digitized Sky Survey 2 (DSS2 - see the credits section) taken in the red channel. The area of sky represented in the image is 0.5x0.5 degrees (30x30 arcmins). The proper motion of Megrez is 0.104 arcsec per year in Right Ascension and 0.009 arcsec per year in Declination and the associated displacement for the next 1000 years is represented with the red arrow.
Distance of Megrez from the Sun and relative movement
Megrez is distant 81.40 light years from the Sun and it is moving towards the Sun at the speed of 13 kilometers per second.
Spectral properties of Megrez
Megrez belongs to spectral class A3 and has a luminosity class of V corresponding to a main-sequence star.
The red dot in the diagram below shows where Megrez is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
Megrez star system properties
Megrez is a visual double star which can be observed only with the help of very large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the Megrez double sysyem: