Ursa Minor constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Ursa Minor is the constellation of Polaris. Its seven stars repeat the shape of the Big Dipper, only smaller and fainter, and Polaris marks the end of the handle almost exactly above the north celestial pole — the whole sky turns around it through the night. It never sets for northern observers; apart from Polaris only Kochab and Pherkad, the 'guardians of the pole', are bright.
Area: 256 square degrees, 56 of 88 · Neighbours: Camelopardalis, Cepheus, Draco · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Ursa Minor
- 1
Find Polaris
From the two end stars of the Big Dipper bowl go five times their distance — that is Polaris. Its height above the horizon equals your latitude.
- 2
Find the guardians
The bowl of the Little Dipper lies opposite Polaris; it holds two noticeable stars, orange Kochab and Pherkad. The rest are faint.
- 3
Fill in the handle
Three faint stars of the handle run from Polaris to the bowl. In a city you will not see them — you need a sky without light pollution.
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — april | in the north, around 06:26 | before dawn |
| May | in the north, around 01:09 | around midnight |
| June — november | in the north, around 23:21 | in the evening |
| December | in the north, around 06:29 | before dawn |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Polaris · α UMi | yellow-white supergiant | 2.0ᵐ |
| Kochab · β UMi | orange giant | 2.1ᵐ |
| Pherkad · γ UMi | white bright giant | 3.0ᵐ |
| ε UMi | yellow giant | 4.2ᵐ |
| ζ UMi | white main-sequence star | 4.3ᵐ |
| Yildun · δ UMi | white main-sequence star | 4.4ᵐ |
| η UMi | yellow-white main-sequence star | 4.9ᵐ |
Ursa Minor FAQ
When is the best time to see Ursa Minor?
Where is Ursa Minor in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Ursa Minor?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0