Nu Ursae Majoris

Nu Ursae Majoris

Location of ν Ursae Majoris (circled)
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0 (ICRS)
Constellation Ursa Major
Right ascension 11h 18m 28.73720s
Declination +33° 05 39.5109
Apparent magnitude (V) +3.490
Characteristics
Spectral type K3 III
U−B color index +1.550
B−V color index +1.400
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)-9.63 ± 0.38 km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: −26.139 mas/yr
Dec.: 27.892 mas/yr
Parallax (π)8.17±0.17 mas
Distance399 ± 8 ly
(122 ± 3 pc)
Absolute magnitude (MV)−2.47 ± 0.16
Details
Mass3.82±0.23 M
Radius60+1.24
−1.29
 R
Luminosity1242±81 L
Surface gravity (log g)1.89 cgs
Temperature4,422±26 K
Metallicity [Fe/H]–0.04 dex
Rotational velocity (v sin i)10 km/s
Age200±30 Myr
Other designations
Alula Borealis, ν Ursae Majoris, ν UMa, Nu UMa, 54 Ursae Majoris, BD+33 2098, CCDM J11185+3306A, FK5 425, GC 15547, HD 98262, HIP 55219, HR 4377, IDS 11131+3338 A, PPM 75790, SAO 62486, WDS J11185+3306A
Database references
SIMBADdata

Nu Ursae Majoris (ν Ursae Majoris, abbreviated Nu UMa, ν UMa), formally named Alula Borealis /əˈllə bɒriˈælɪs/, is a double star in the northern circumpolar constellation of Ursa Major. At an apparent visual magnitude of +3.490, it is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. Based upon parallax measurements, the distance to ν Ursae Majoris is about 399 light-years (122 parsecs). At such distance, its apparent brightness is diminished by 0.48 magnitudes due to interveining gas and dust.

This is a giant star with a stellar classification of K3 III. Being 200 million years old, it has expanded to about 60 times the radius of the Sun and is radiating 1240 times the Sun's luminosity. The effective temperature of the outer envelope is 4,422 K; cool enough to give it an orange hue typical of a K-type star. It has a 10th-magnitude optical companion at an angular separation of 7.1 arcseconds.