This is a visual binary, meaning that the two components can be resolved, and the orbit is derived from the positions of the two stars. The primary component Sigma2 Ursae Majoris A, is a white-colored F-typesubgiant. Its radius is about 1.70 times that of the Sun, and it is 31% more massive.[9] The companion is an orange K-typemain-sequence star that is much fainter. The two stars are separated about 4 arcseconds away, and because of their slow orbital motion the orbit is poorly known: estimates of the orbital period range from 970 years[8] to over 1,500 years.[10] There is a third component, designated Sigma2 Ursae Majoris C. Located 205 arcseconds from the primary, it is thought to be a line-of-sight coincidence, and is not related to the system.
Naming
With π1, π2, σ1, ρ, A and d, it composed the Arabic asterismالظِّبَاءaẓ-Ẓibāʾ meaning the Gazelles.[11] According to the catalogue of stars in the Technical Memorandum 33-507 - A Reduced Star Catalog Containing 537 Named Stars, Al Ṭhibā were the title for seven stars : A as Althiba I, π1 as Althiba II, π2 as Althiba III, ρ as Althiba IV, σ1 as Althiba V, this star (σ2) as Althiba VI, and d as Althiba VII.[12]
In Chinese, 三師 (Sān Shī), meaning Three Top Instructors, refers to an asterism consisting of σ2 Ursae Majoris and ρ Ursae Majoris. Consequently, σ2 Ursae Majoris itself is known as 三師三 (Sān Shī sān, English: the Third Star of Three Top Instructors.).[13]
References
^ abcdefghijkHøg, E.; et al. (2000). "The Tycho-2 catalogue of the 2.5 million brightest stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 355: L27 –L30. Bibcode:2000A&A...355L..27H.