Phecda
| Observation data Epoch J2000 | |
|---|---|
| Variability | |
| Spectral type | A0Ve |
| Right ascension | 11:53:49.85 |
| Declination | +53:41:41.10 |
| Distance | 83.62light years (25.65parsecs) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 2.41 |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mass | ~5.37 x 1030 kg (2.7 M☉) |
| Radius | 2.09 million km (3 R☉) |
| Colour (B-V) | 0 (blue) |
| Colour (V-I) | 0 |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | 0.36 |
| Luminosity (V) | 72 L☉ |
| Surface temperature | 9531 K |
| Age | |
| Rotation period | |
| Oscillation period | |
| Notable features | |
| Other designations | HIP 58001 |
| System | |
| Stellar components | |
| Stellar companions | |
| Planets and minor bodies | |
Phecda is the proper name of the star γ Ursae Majoris in the constellation Ursa Major. It is more familiar to most observers in the northern hemisphere as the lower-left star forming the bowl of the Big Dipper. Along with four other stars in this well-known asterism, Phecda forms an actual loose, open cluster of stars known as the Ursa Major Cluster that puts the stars physically close together and not just in our night sky. Like the other stars in the cluster, it is an average main sequence star not unlike our Sun, although somewhat hotter, brighter and larger.
The name comes from the Arabic فخذ faxð "thigh" (of the bear).