Alula Australis
Designations
- Bayer: ξ UMa
- Flamsteed: 53 UMa
- Hipparchos: HIP 55203 A
Data
- Constellation: Ursa Major
- Apparent Magnitude: 4.38-4.39
- Variable Type: RS Canum Venaticorum-type binary system
- Right Ascension (J2000): 11h18m08.67s
- Declination (J2000): +31°31'38".9
- Colour Index (B-V): 0.54
- Distance: 28.49±0.11ly
Nomenclature
Alula Australis
The indigenous Arabian title for the asterism composed of ν & ξ UMa was al-Qafzat al-Ūlā, 'the first leap', the pair comprising one of three in the greater asterism al-Qafazāt, 'the leaps [of the gazelle]'. The Arabic name was abbreviated to Alula and the Latin epithet australis was added to indicate μ UMa is the 'southerly' star of al-Qafzat al-Ūlā.