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Kochab

Kocab, Beta Ursae Minoris, 7 Ursae Minoris

Proper NamesKochab, Kocab
Bayer DesignationBeta Ursae Minoris
Flamsteed Number7 Ursae Minoris
HR (BSC)5563
HD131873
ConstellationUrsa Minor
Right Ascension14h 50m 42s
Declination+74° 9' 20"
Distance131 light years
40 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +2.05
Absolute: -0.97
Spectral ClassK4 Orange Giant
Planets in this systemKochab b (Beta Ursae Minoris b), gas giant
Optimum VisibilityMay (Usually visible from northern latitudes)
NotesThis orange giant has a diameter more than forty times that of the Sun, but only about twice the mass. It is orbited by at least one planet, Kochab b, which is a vast body far larger than Jupiter.
A view of Kochab

A view of the giant orange star Kochab, from the point of view of two hypothetical bodies in close orbit. Three thousand years ago, this star marked Earth's Northern Celestial Pole, but shifts in the planet's position have seen the Pole move away from Kochab and towards Polaris.

The second brightest star in Ursa Minor is an orange giant lying just over 130 light years from Earth's Solar System.

Location of Kochab

Like all the stars of Ursa Minor, orange Kochab lies close to the Northern Celestial Pole.

Relative Galactic Position of Kochab

The Galactic position and direction of Kochab relative to Earth's Sun. Note that, at this extreme scale, the two stars are effectively in the same place.

Illustration of Kochab

The giant orange star Kochab is one of the two Guardians of the Pole. The other, far more distant Guardian star Pherkad is just visible in the background of this image.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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