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Alioth

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description Alioth Overview

Alioth, designated Epsilon Ursae Majoris, is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Major and the brightest of the seven stars comprising the Big Dipper asterism. It is an A-type star located approximately 83 light-years from the Sun and is classified as a chemically peculiar star, exhibiting anomalous abundances of certain elements in its atmosphere. Alioth is positioned at the base of the Dipper's handle, where the handle meets the bowl. It has an apparent magnitude of approximately 1.77, making it the 33rd brightest star in the night sky.

help Alioth FAQ

Where is Alioth in the Big Dipper?

Alioth is the star in the handle nearest the Dipper's bowl. It is designated Epsilon Ursae Majoris and is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Major.

Why is Alioth called a chemically peculiar star?

Alioth is an Ap star whose spectrum shows unusual abundances of elements such as chromium and europium. Its strong magnetic field and stellar rotation cause the observed spectrum and brightness to vary.

Is Alioth part of the Ursa Major Moving Group?

Alioth is one of the Big Dipper stars associated with the Ursa Major Moving Group. Most of the Dipper's central stars share related motion through space, while Dubhe and Alkaid are notable exceptions.

How far away is Alioth compared with Polaris?

Alioth is about 83 light-years from Earth, making it much closer than Polaris. Polaris is several hundred light-years away and belongs to Ursa Minor, not the Big Dipper.

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