Dubhe

Ursa Major · α UMa · HR 4301

HIP54061
IAU adoption2016/06/30

Name origin

Applied in medieval times from the sci-A constellation name al-dubb, "the Bear," for Ursa Major. The spelling in the oldest sources was edubh (corresponding to the Arabic noun with the article al prefixed as e). Afterwards, by corruption, the initial e was transferred to the end of the word: dubhe.

Alternative names

  • No alternative names yet.