An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The second brightest star in the constellation → Ursa Major with a → visual magnitude of about 1.8. It lies at the front of the → Big Dipper’s bowl and with → Merak (Beta UMa) makes the famous → Pointers. α Ursae Majoris is a → supergiant of type K0 IIIa and has a → companion.

Etymology (EN): From Ar. al-dubb (الدب) “bear,” referring to the bear in Gk. mythology.

Etymology (PE): Dobbé from Ar., as above.