Ursa Minor

constellation

Also known as: Lesser Bear, The Little Bear

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Last Updated: May 5, 2025 • Article History

Latin:: “Lesser Bear”

Also called:: the Little Bear

On the Web:: The Planets - Ursa Minor Constellation - Facts and Features (May 05, 2025)

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Ursa Minor, in astronomy, a constellation of the northern sky, at about 15 hours right ascension and 80° north declination, and seven of whose stars outline the Little Dipper. Polaris (Alpha Ursae Minoris), at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle, marks (roughly) the position of the north celestial pole and is the brightest star in Ursa Minor, with a magnitude of 2.0.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.