Alkaid, also called Eta Ursae Majoris, is a star in the constellation of Ursa Major. It is the most eastern (leftmost) star in the Big Dipper asterism. However, unlike most stars of the Big Dipper, it is not a member of the Ursa Major moving group. With an apparent visual magnitude of +1.86, it is the third-brightest star in the constellation and one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
