The full spectral classification of Alkaid is B3V.  Using the spectral classification, I determined the absolute visual magnitude, Mv, of Alkaid is -1.1. The apparent magnitude (mv) of Alkaid is 1.852, according to SIMBAD.

 

Using the formula d =10^0.2(m−M)+1, we can determine the distance (spectroscopic parallax).

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d =
m = 1.852
M = -1.1

 

d =10^0.2(m−M)+1
d =10^0.2(1.852+1.1)+1 = 38.94 parsec

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Given the spectral type, we know that Alkaid is hot (I’ve been observing you all semester and I think you’re hot, Alkaid). We also know that it’s very luminous and big (from two to 16 times more massive than the Sun). However, Alkaid will have a very short life. And, for this I am sad.

 

I used the website http://www.uni.edu/morgans/astro/course/Notes/section2/spectraltemps.html in classifying this star.