Denebola vs Merak
Correct for distance and Merak pulls 4.1 times ahead, +0.40 against +1.93. Denebola is an A-type star in Leo; Merak is an A-type star in Ursa Major. Apparent magnitudes of +2.14 and +2.34 place Denebola some 1.2 times brighter in the sky than Merak. Merak is the remoter of the pair at 79.7 light-years, roughly 2.2 times the 35.9 that separates us from Denebola.
Property comparison
| Property | Denebola | Merak |
|---|---|---|
| ชื่อเรียก | 94Bet Leo | 48Bet UMa |
| กลุ่มดาว | Leo | Ursa Major |
| ประเภทสเปกตรัม | Class A — A-type (White) | Class A — A-type (White) |
| โชติมาตรปรากฏ | +2.14 | +2.34 |
| โชติมาตรสัมบูรณ์ | 1.93 | 0.40 |
| ระยะทาง | 35.9 ly | 79.7 ly |
| มวล | N/A | N/A |
| รัศมี | N/A | N/A |
| อุณหภูมิ | N/A | N/A |
| ความส่องสว่าง | N/A | N/A |
Full data for each star: Denebola · Merak
Key differences
Key Differences
- ◆ Both are relatively nearby A-type stars in the northern sky with debris disks.
- ◆ Merak is a member of the Ursa Major Moving Group; Denebola is not a confirmed member.
- ◆ Denebola is a Delta Scuti variable with slight brightness variations; Merak is a stable star.
- ◆ Merak is at ~80 light-years; Denebola is closer at ~36 light-years.
- ◆ Both are considered young stars that may still have active planetary formation underway.