Zeta Ursae Minoris

ζ Ursae Minoris

Observation data Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation	Ursa Minor
Right ascension	15h 44m 03.5s
Declination	+77° 47' 40"
Apparent magnitude (V)	+4.29
Distance	376 ± 20 ly (115 ± 6 pc)
Spectral type	A3Vn
Other designations
16 Ursae Minoris, HR 5903, HD 142105, BD+78 527, FK5 590, HIP 77055, SAO 8328, GC 21243

Zeta Ursae Minoris (ζ UMi / ζ Ursae Minoris) is a star in the constellation Ursa Minor. It also has the traditional name Alifa al Farkadain.

Zeta Ursae Minoris is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +4.32. It is approximately 376 light years from Earth.

Despite its classification as a dwarf star, Zeta UMi is 3.4 times the mass of the sun and its luminosity is about 200 solar luminosities. At a surface temperature of 8700 kelvins, this star is actually on the verge of becoming a giant star. Zeta UMi may also be a variable of the delta scuti type.