Shampagen's Astronomy

Phecda

Designations

  • Bayer: γ UMa
  • Flamsteed: 64 UMa
  • Hipparchos: HIP 58001

Data

  • Constellation: Ursa Major
  • Apparent Magnitude: 2.44
  • Right Ascension (J2000): 11h53m48.80s
  • Declination (J2000): +53°41'56".9
  • Colour Index (B-V): 0.01
  • Distance: 83.20±0.85ly

Nomenclature

Phecda, or Phad

The scientific name for the star was al-Faḫiḏ al-Aysar min al-Dubb al-Akbar, 'the left thigh of the great bear', which was abbreviated and bastardised as either Phecda or Phad and applied as a star name in modern times. Regarding Phad, one might extend the mnemonic used to remember the Pointers to include this star, saying, "from Merak, we smoke a Dubhe on the way to Polaris, and that's a Phad!"

Sources

  • IAU WGSN. IAU-Catalog of Star Names (CSN). link.
  • Stellarium Contributors. Stellarium Astronomy Software. link.
  • Kunitszch, Paul. Smart, Tim. A Dictionary of Modern Star Names (2006), pp. 56. link.
  • Lafitte, Roland. Catalogue of Star Names Created in the Greco-Arabian Sky. link.