Alioth

<p>Alioth /ˈæliɒθ/, also called Epsilon Ursae Majoris, is a <a href="/facts/Star/PFbd6ICx">star</a> in the northern <a href="/facts/Constellation/nBQqgW8A">constellation</a> of <a href="/facts/Ursa_Major/BFhHcvbW">Ursa Major</a>. The designation is <a href="/facts/Latinisation_of_names/69CA5FuQ">Latinised</a> from ε Ursae Majoris and abbreviated Epsilon UMa or ε UMa. Despite being designated "ε" (<a href="/facts/Epsilon/3G846hlN">epsilon</a>), it is the brightest star in the constellation and at <a href="/facts/Apparent_magnitude/7pCTF1Me">magnitude</a> 1.77 is the <a href="/facts/List_of_brightest_stars/0vDnLEYM">thirty-third brightest star in the sky</a>.
</p><p>It is the star in the tail of the bear closest to its body, and thus the star in the handle of the <a href="/facts/Big_Dipper/DzxzHAAC">Big Dipper</a> (or Plough) closest to the bowl. It is also a member of the large and diffuse <a href="/facts/Ursa_Major_moving_group/L5LEL6dm">Ursa Major moving group</a>. Historically, the star was frequently used in <a href="/facts/Celestial_navigation/pCpbhzJt">celestial navigation</a> in the maritime trade, because it is listed as one of the 57 <a href="/facts/Navigational_stars/NAcPQN9I">navigational stars</a>.[1]
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Alioth open-in-new

Alioth