SkyKeepsake page about the star Alkaid

Alkaid is a brilliant star in the constellation CVn, designated as magnitude 1.85. The star is believed to be a white dwarf, appearing as a bright yellowish-white star. Its physical characteristics suggest it is relatively distant, approximately 22,600 light-years from Earth. Given its brightness and distance, Alkaid is remarkably visible for an object of this age. The star is currently classified as a Type-P white dwarf. It’s visible as a modest, yet significant point of light in the evening sky, often considered a “bird” or “honeycomb” shape in the sky.

Alkaid’s recognizable appearance in the sky comes from the distinct shape of a giant, curved ring surrounding its center. This ring, created by the interaction between the star's outer layers and the interstellar material, appears as a luminous arc shaped somewhat like a celestial kite or an elongated 'U' formed by the star's position relative to another object in the sky. This ring effect is caused by the star's outer atmosphere shedding material, creating a gentle, turbulent swirl. Its faint glow is a consistent beacon for observers near the southern latitudes. Its location, however, reveals itself best at night, and its existence has been measured and analyzed by astronomers for centuries and continues to provide a visible phenomenon.

The presence of the Alkaid constellation may imbue it with a deeply symbolic meaning for anyone choosing it. The shimmering curve of the ring is historically linked to stories about a celestial “dragon”—a myth that originates from the East Asian culture and has persisted throughout the history of the region. The constellation provides a visual link to ancient myths and a powerful reminder of connection to the past.

How to see it

Alkaid has a visual magnitude of about 1.85: under a reasonably dark sky it is typically reachable with the unaided eye.

Sky position

Equatorial coordinates for Alkaid: right ascension 13h 47m 32s, declination +49° 18′ 48″ (J2000), on the celestial sphere.

Catalog context

Alkaid. It appears in classical and modern catalogs as Bayer/Flamsteed designation 85Eta UMa, HIP 67301, HD 120315, Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-67301.

Catalog identifiers

Gaia

Gaia DR3 HYG-HIP-67301

HIP

67301

HD

120315

gaia_dr3

HYG-HIP-67301

Bayer / Flamsteed

85Eta UMa

Also known as

• 85Eta UMa
• Gaia DR3 TOP 5M HYG-HIP-67301
• HD 120315
• HIP 67301
• HYG-HIP-67301

Observed properties

Visual magnitude

1.85