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Sky-Tonight.com / Constellations / Ursa Minor
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Observation Settings

Or select it on the map:
This Earth map fragment is intended to illustrate celestial motion across the sky, emphasizing both bearing and elevational perspectives. The map's center point corresponds to the transit, showcasing celestial objects at their highest point, while elevation gradually decreases towards the map edges. This dynamic representation offers insights into the changing positions of celestial bodies with a focus on their bearing and elevational trajectories.
Your location: Santa Clara, United States
Timezone:
Latitude:
37.3541
Longitude:
-121.955

Ursa Minor Constellation

Double-click to unlock the map.
Ursa Minor, the little bear, contains the Little Dipper asterism and Polaris, the current North Star.
Array

Ursa Minor Rise and Set Timetable

TimeElevation
Ursa Minor is always above the horizon
Moon Rise, 15.7% illuminated09:3645°
Ursa Minor Transit11:5447°
Sunset16:1541°
Civil sunset16:4340°
Moon Set18:4135°
Astrosession begin19:0134°
Ursa Minor is always above the horizon
Astrosession end04:2933°
Civil sunrise05:0035°
Sunrise05:2836°

Track Ursa Minor Position Throughout the Night

← Sun, 26 October 2025 →

Elevation (degrees)
Time
Altitude
Azimuth
Shift the map to change the time and observe Ursa Minor changing position in the night sky.

Annual motion of Ursa Minor

Time
DateMon, 27 October 2025
Twighlight start17:43
Twighlight end03:57
Twighlight duration10h 14m
RiseUrsa Minor is always up
SetUrsa Minor is always up
Elevation at transit47°
Transit time11:50
Equatorial coordinatesRA: 15h 04m 48s", Dec: 80° 00' 48s
Magnitude-
Constellation
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Ursa Minor, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Ursa Minor is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries, which provide a consistent framework for celestial mapping.

Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for their collaboration in producing the charts and tables. The constellation patterns, drawn by Alan MacRobert, were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and thoughtfully adjusted to align with earlier traditions.