Ursa minor
click for larger image This is a celestial map of the constellation Ursa Minor the Little Bear. ...
Abbreviation	UMi
Genitive	Ursae Minoris
Symbology	the Small Bear
Right ascension	15 h
Declination	70°
Area	256 sq. deg. Ranked 56th
Number of stars (magnitude < 3)	2
Brightest star	Polaris (App. magnitude 2.02)
Meteor showers	Ursids
Bordering constellations	Draco Camelopardalis Cepheus
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −10° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of June

Ursa Minor is a constellation in the northern sky, the name of which means Small Bear in Latin. It is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. It is notable as the location of the north celestial pole, although this will change after some centuries due to the precession of the equinoxes. The genitive case is a grammatical case that indicates a relationship, primarily one of possession, between the noun in the genitive case and another noun. ... Small can refer to the following: Look up small in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Genera Ailuropoda Ursus Tremarctos Arctodus (extinct) A bear is a large mammal of the order Carnivora, family Ursidae. ... Right ascension (RA; symbol α: Greek letter alpha) is the astronomical term for one of the two coordinates of a point on the celestial sphere when using the equatorial coordinate system. ... In astronomy, declination (dec) is one of the two coordinates of the equatorial coordinate system, the other being either right ascension or hour angle. ... Here is a list of the 88 modern constellations by their area in the sky, measured in square degrees. ... The apparent magnitude (m) of a star, planet or other heavenly body is a measure of its apparent brightness; that is, the amount of light received from the object. ... Polaris or Cynosura (α UMi / α Ursae Minoris / Alpha Ursae Minoris) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. ... The apparent magnitude (m) of a star, planet or other heavenly body is a measure of its apparent brightness; that is, the amount of light received from the object. ... Leonid Meteor Shower From earliest times, humankind has noticed flurries of meteors that seemed to emanate from particular points in the sky at particular times of the year. ... The Ursids meteor activity begins annually around December 17th and runs for a week plus, until the 24th or 25th. ... Draco (Latin for Dragon) is a far northern constellation that is circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers. ... Camelopardalis, Latin for giraffe, is the name of a large but faint northern constellation first recorded by Jakob Bartsch in 1624, but probably created earlier by Petrus Plancius. ... Cepheus is a northern constellation named after King Cepheus in Greek mythology, and is considered to represent a king. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Orion is a remarkable constellation, visible from most places on the globe (but not always the whole year long). ... Small can refer to the following: Look up small in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Genera Ailuropoda Ursus Tremarctos Arctodus (extinct) A bear is a large mammal of the order Carnivora, family Ursidae. ... Latin is an Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Claudius Ptolemaeus, given contemporary German styling, in a 16th century engraved book frontispiece. ... For other uses of the word pole, see Pole (disambiguation). ... Precession (also called gyroscopic precession) is the phenomenon by which the axis of a spinning object (e. ...

Notable features

Ursa Minor contains an asterism colloquially known as the "Little Dipper" because its seven brightest stars seem to form a ladle, or dipper shape. The star at the end of the dipper handle is Polaris, the "North" or "Pole Star". In astronomy, an asterism is a recognized pattern of stars seen in Earths sky which is neither an official constellation nor a true star cluster. ... The Pleiades star cluster A star is a massive body of plasma in outer space that is currently producing or has produced energy through nuclear fusion. ... Polaris or Cynosura (α UMi / α Ursae Minoris / Alpha Ursae Minoris) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. ...

Polaris can also be found by following a line through the two stars which form the end of the "bowl" of the Big Dipper, a nearby asterism found in the constellation Ursa Major. Ursa Major (Ursa Maior in Latin) is a constellation visible throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. ...

The seven stars are the origin of the Latin word septentrion meaning "north," and now found as the adjective septentrional (northern) in French and Spanish, to go with adjectives for the other three directions that refer to the position of the sun. Latin is an Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...

The two brightest stars are:

• Polaris (α UMi): a yellow supergiant of spectral type F7 and an apparent brightness of 2.02m
• β UMi (Kochab): a giant orange star; spectral type K4; brightness 2.08

Polaris or Cynosura (α UMi / α Ursae Minoris / Alpha Ursae Minoris) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. ... A supergiant is a very large type of star which is ~10 to 50 solar masses on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. ... Beta Ursae Minoris (β UMi / β Ursae Minoris) is the second brightest star in the bowl of the Little Dipper, the constellation Ursa Minor. ...

Notable deep sky objects

• Ursa Minor Dwarf, a dwarf galaxy.

Deep sky object (DSO) is a term used often in amateur astronomy to denote objects in the night sky other than solar system objects (such as planets, comets and asteroids), single stars and multiple star systems. ... The Ursa Minor Dwarf dwarf galaxy was discovered by A.G. Wilson of the Lowell Observatory in 1954. ... A dwarf galaxy is a small galaxy composed of up to several billion stars, a small number compared to our own Milky Ways 200-400 billion stars. ...

History

This constellation is said to have been introduced in the 6th century B.C. by the Greek astronomer Thales of Miletus, but was certainly already used as a guide by sailors. Centuries: 8th century BC - 7th century BC - 6th century BC Decades: 650s BC 640s BC 630s BC 620s BC 610s BC - 600s BC - 590s BC 580s BC 570s BC 560s BC 550s BC Events and Trends Fall of the Assyrian Empire and Rise of Babylon 609 BC _ King Josiah... Thales (in Greek: Θαλης) of Miletus (ca. ...

In ancient time, Ursa Minor was named the Dragon's wing, and was considered a part of Draco. The dragon's wing as an asterism is now long forgotten. Draco (Latin for Dragon) is a far northern constellation that is circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers. ... In astronomy, an asterism is a recognized pattern of stars seen in Earths sky which is neither an official constellation nor a true star cluster. ...

Mythology

The constellation of Ursa Minor, when including less visible stars which are still visible to the naked eye, vaguely resembles a bear (with an unusually long tail). In consequence, together with the nearby Ursa Major, it formed the basis of the myth of Callisto. The tail was said to have been lengthened, from that usually expected for a bear, due to the incessant spinning of the bear, by the tail, around the pole. Ursa Major (Ursa Maior in Latin) is a constellation visible throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. ... This article is about the mythological figure. ...

In earlier times, Ursa Minor was considered just to be seven close stars, and mythologically was regarded, as such, as sisters. In early greek mythology, the seven stars in Ursa Minor were considered to be the Hesperides, daughters of Atlas. Together with other constellations in the zodiac sign of libra (i.e. Boötes, Ursa Major, and Draco) it may have formed the origin of the myth of the apples of the Hesperides, which forms part of The Twelve Labours of Herakles. Greek mythology comprises the collected narratives of Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines, originally created and spread within an oral-poetic tradition. ... For the ancient Greek city Hesperides see Benghazi. ... Zodiac signs, 16th century , medieval woodcuts The zodiac (from Greek zoon, animal) is an imaginary belt in the heavens extending approximately 8 degrees on either side of the Suns apparent path (the ecliptic), that includes the apparent paths of the Moon and the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn. ... Libra ( , and Latin for balance) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... Boötes, a name deriving from Egypt, is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... Ursa Major (Ursa Maior in Latin) is a constellation visible throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. ... Draco (Latin for Dragon) is a far northern constellation that is circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers. ... For the ancient Greek city Hesperides see Benghazi. ... Hercules and the Hydra by Antonio Pollaiuolo The Twelve Labours (Greek: dodekathlos) of Herakles (Latin: Hercules) are a series of archaic episodes connected by a later continuous narrative, concerning a penance carried out by Herakles, the greatest of the Greek heroes. ... For the son of Alexander the Great, see Heracles (Macedon). ...

To many other cultures Ursa Minor was the Hole in which the earth's axle found its bearing. In Hindu mythology, the Pole Star is Dhruva (the word means pole today) and there is a story behind him becoming a star. The term Hindu mythology refers collectively to a large body of Indian literature (essentially, the mythology of Hinduism) that detail the lives and times of legendary personalities, deities and divine incarnations on earth interspersed with often large sections of philosophical and ethical discourse. ... Polaris or Cynosura (α UMi / α Ursae Minoris / Alpha Ursae Minoris) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. ... Dhruva in Hindu mythology was the prince blessed to eternal existence and glory as the Pole Star (Dhruva Nakshatra in Sanskrit) by Lord Vishnu. ...

Notable and named stars

Source: The Bright Star Catalogue, 5th Revised Ed., The Hipparcos Catalogue, ESA SP-1200 Many of the brighter stars are given names which are known as Bayer designations. ... Flamsteed designations for stars are similar to Bayer designations, except that they use numbers instead of Greek letters. ... The apparent magnitude (m) of a star, planet or other heavenly body is a measure of its apparent brightness; that is, the amount of light received from the object. ... A light year, abbreviated ly, is the distance light travels in one year: roughly 9. ... Polaris or Cynosura (α UMi / α Ursae Minoris / Alpha Ursae Minoris) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. ... A Cepheid variable or Cepheid is a member of a particular class of variable stars, notable for a fairly tight correlation between their period of variability and absolute luminosity. ... Beta Ursae Minoris (β UMi / β Ursae Minoris) is the second brightest star in the bowl of the Little Dipper, the constellation Ursa Minor. ... Pherkad (also Pherkab) is the designation of the star gamma Ursae Minoris. ... A Delta Scuti variable is a variable star which exhibits variations in its luminosity due to both radial and non-radial pulsations of the stars surface. ... Most stars are of nearly constant luminosity. ... RS Canum Venaticorum variables are a type of variable star. ... Most stars are of nearly constant luminosity. ... Delta Ursae Minoris (δ UMi / δ Ursae Minoris) is a star in the constellation Ursa Minor. ... Double Star is a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein. ...

See also

Andromeda is a constellation named for the princess Andromeda (which is Greek for Ruler over men), a character in greek mythology. ... Aquarius ( , Latin for the Water-bearer or Cup-bearer) is the eleventh sign of the zodiac, situated between Capricornus and Pisces. ... Aquila (Latin for Eagle), is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy and is now also part of the list of 88 constellations acknowledged by the IAU. It lies roughly at the celestial equator. ... Ara (Latin for Altar) is a faint southerly constellation between the constellations Centaurus and Lupus. ... The constellation Argo Navis drawn by Johannes Hevelius in 1690 Argo Navis (or simply Argo) was a large southern constellation representing the Argo, the ship used by Jason and the Argonauts in Greek mythology. ... Aries ( , Latin for Ram) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Auriga (Latin for chariot) is a northern constellation. ... Boötes, a name deriving from Egypt, is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... In astronomy and astrology, Cancer ( ), Latin for crab, is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. ... Canis Major (Latin for big dog) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also in Ptolemys list of 48 constellations. ... Canis Minor (Latin for little dog) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also in Ptolemys list of 48 constellations. ... Capricornus ( or ), a name meaning Horned Goat or That which has horns like a goats in Latin, is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Cassiopeia is a northern constellation which Greek mythology considered to represent a vain queen. ... Centaurus (Latin for centaur) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and counts also among the 88 modern constellations. ... Cepheus is a northern constellation named after King Cepheus in Greek mythology, and is considered to represent a king. ... Cetus (a name from Greek mythology, referring to a Whale or Sea monster, see Ceto) is a constellation of the southern sky, in the region known as the Water, near other watery constellations like Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus. ... Corona Australis or Corona Austrina (Latin for Southern Crown) was one of Ptolemys 48 constellations, and also counts among the 88 modern constellations. ... Corona Borealis (Latin for northern crown) is a small northern constellation whose main stars form a semicircular arc. ... Corvus (Latin for Raven/Crow) is a small southern constellation with only 11 stars visible to the naked eye (brighter than magnitude 5. ... Crater (Latin for cup) is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... For the software company, see Cygnus Solutions. ... Delphinus, being Latin for Dolphin, is a rather small (ranked 69th) northern constellation very close to the celestial equator. ... Draco (Latin for Dragon) is a far northern constellation that is circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers. ... Equuleus (Latin for horse-let (i. ... Eridanus is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... In mythology, the Gemini are Castor and Polydeuces. ... Hercules is the fifth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Hydra is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... Leo ( , Latin for lion) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... Lepus (Latin for Hare) is a constellation, lying just south of Orion, and possibly representing a hare being chased by him. ... Libra ( , and Latin for balance) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... For the autoimmune disorder see lupus erythematosus. ... The constellation Lyra (Latin for Lyre) already formed part of Ptolemys list of 48 constellations and is also one of the 88 modern constellations approved by the IAU. Lyra is not very big but still easy to find because its principal star, Vega, is also a vertex of the... Ophiuchus (known as the serpent holder) is one of the 88 constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... Orion, a constellation often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation, perhaps the best-known in the sky. ... Pegasus is a northern constellation, named after the mythological Pegasus. ... Perseus is a northern constellation, named after the Greek hero who slew the monster Medusa. ... Pisces ( , Latin for fish (plural)) is a zodiac constellation which lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east. ... Piscis Austrinus or Piscis Australis (both of which are Latin for Southern Fish) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and is also one of the 88 modern constellations. ... Sagitta, being Latin for Arrow, is the third-smallest of all constellations (only Equuleus and Crux are smaller). ... Sagittarius ( , and Latin for Archer) is a constellation of the zodiac, commonly depicted as a centaur drawing a bow. ... Scorpius ( , and Latin for scorpion) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Serpens (the snake) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... Taurus ( , Latin for bull) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Triangulum is a small northern constellation whose three brightest stars, of third and fourth magnitude, form an elongated triangle. ... Ursa Major (Ursa Maior in Latin) is a constellation visible throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. ... See VIRGO (physics) for a French-Italian project in physics. ...

Orion is a remarkable constellation, visible from most places on the globe (but not always the whole year long). ... Andromeda is a constellation named for the princess Andromeda (which is Greek for Ruler over men), a character in greek mythology. ... The constellation Antlia (Latin for pump) is a relatively new constellation as it was only created in the 18th century, being too faint to be acknowledged by the ancient Greeks. ... Apus (Latin for bird of paradise) is a faint southern constellation, not visible to the ancient Greeks. ... Aquarius ( , Latin for the Water-bearer or Cup-bearer) is the eleventh sign of the zodiac, situated between Capricornus and Pisces. ... Aquila (Latin for Eagle), is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy and is now also part of the list of 88 constellations acknowledged by the IAU. It lies roughly at the celestial equator. ... Ara (Latin for Altar) is a faint southerly constellation between the constellations Centaurus and Lupus. ... Aries ( , Latin for Ram) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Auriga (Latin for chariot) is a northern constellation. ... Boötes, a name deriving from Egypt, is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... Caelum (Latin for chisel, and similar to Latin for of the Sky) is a minor southern constellation introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. ... Camelopardalis, Latin for giraffe, is the name of a large but faint northern constellation first recorded by Jakob Bartsch in 1624, but probably created earlier by Petrus Plancius. ... In astronomy and astrology, Cancer ( ), Latin for crab, is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac. ... Canes Venatici (Latin for hunting dogs) is a small northern constellation that was introduced by Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century. ... Canis Major (Latin for big dog) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also in Ptolemys list of 48 constellations. ... Canis Minor (Latin for little dog) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also in Ptolemys list of 48 constellations. ... Capricornus ( or ), a name meaning Horned Goat or That which has horns like a goats in Latin, is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Carina (Latin for keel) is a southern constellation which forms part of the old constellation of Argo Navis. ... Cassiopeia is a northern constellation which Greek mythology considered to represent a vain queen. ... Centaurus (Latin for centaur) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and counts also among the 88 modern constellations. ... Cepheus is a northern constellation named after King Cepheus in Greek mythology, and is considered to represent a king. ... Cetus (a name from Greek mythology, referring to a Whale or Sea monster, see Ceto) is a constellation of the southern sky, in the region known as the Water, near other watery constellations like Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus. ... For other uses of the word, see chameleon (disambiguation) Chamaeleon (Latin for chameleon) is a minor southern constellation. ... Circinus, Latin for Compass, is one of the small southern (declination −50 to −60 degrees) constellations. ... Columba, Latin for dove, is a small constellation just south to Canis Major and Lepus, it was cut out of the constellation Canis Major by Augustin Royer, in 1679. ... Coma Berenices (Latin for Berenices Hair) is a traditional asterism that has since become a constellation. ... Corona Australis or Corona Austrina (Latin for Southern Crown) was one of Ptolemys 48 constellations, and also counts among the 88 modern constellations. ... Corona Borealis (Latin for northern crown) is a small northern constellation whose main stars form a semicircular arc. ... Corvus (Latin for Raven/Crow) is a small southern constellation with only 11 stars visible to the naked eye (brighter than magnitude 5. ... Crater (Latin for cup) is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... Crux, being Latin for cross, commonly known as the Southern Cross (in contrast to the Northern Cross), is the smallest of the 88 modern constellations, but nevertheless one of the most famous. ... For the software company, see Cygnus Solutions. ... Delphinus, being Latin for Dolphin, is a rather small (ranked 69th) northern constellation very close to the celestial equator. ... Other uses: dorado is used in the fisheries of some Latin American countries to denote the edible fish mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus Dorado is also the name of mythical Latin American warriors. ... Draco (Latin for Dragon) is a far northern constellation that is circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers. ... Equuleus (Latin for horse-let (i. ... Eridanus is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Fornax (Latin for furnace) is a southern constellation which was first introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille under the name Fornax Chemica (Latin for chemical furnace). ... In mythology, the Gemini are Castor and Polydeuces. ... Grus (Latin for Crane) is a southern constellation. ... Hercules is the fifth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Horologium (Latin for clock) is one of the lesser southern constellations (declination around -60 degrees). ... Hydra is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... Hydrus (Latin for Hydra, also referred to as male Hydra or little Hydra) is a minor southern constellation. ... Indus is a southern constellation that is supposed to represent an American Indian. ... Lacerta, being Latin for Lizard, is one of the 88 official constellations acknowledged by the International Astronomical Union. ... Leo ( , Latin for lion) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... Leo Minor (Latin for Small Lion) is a rather dim constellation that can - barely - be recognized as a triangle and lies between the easily discerned constellations Ursa Major and Leo. ... Lepus (Latin for Hare) is a constellation, lying just south of Orion, and possibly representing a hare being chased by him. ... Libra ( , and Latin for balance) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... For the autoimmune disorder see lupus erythematosus. ... Lynx is a constellation of the northern hemisphere, introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. ... The constellation Lyra (Latin for Lyre) already formed part of Ptolemys list of 48 constellations and is also one of the 88 modern constellations approved by the IAU. Lyra is not very big but still easy to find because its principal star, Vega, is also a vertex of the... Mensa (Latin for Table) is a southern constellation which was first introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille under the name Mons Mensae (Latin for table mountain). ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations ... Monoceros (Latin for Unicorn) is a faint constellation on the winter night sky, surrounded by Orion to the west, Gemini to the north, Canis Major to the south and Hydra to the east. ... Musca (Latin for Fly) is one of the minor southern constellations. ... Norma (Latin for Normal, i. ... Octans (Latin for octant) is an inconspicuous constellation introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. ... Ophiuchus (known as the serpent holder) is one of the 88 constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... Orion, a constellation often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation, perhaps the best-known in the sky. ... PENIS, being Latin for your small cock, is a southern constellation. ... Pegasus is a northern constellation, named after the mythological Pegasus. ... Perseus is a northern constellation, named after the Greek hero who slew the monster Medusa. ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations ... Pictor, being Latin for easel, is one of the minor southern (declination -50 to -60) constellations. ... Pisces ( , Latin for fish (plural)) is a zodiac constellation which lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east. ... Piscis Austrinus or Piscis Australis (both of which are Latin for Southern Fish) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and is also one of the 88 modern constellations. ... Puppis (Latin for poop deck) is a southern constellation. ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations | Pyxis constellation | Argo Navis constellation ... Reticulum (Latin for reticle), is one of the minor southern (declination -60 degrees) constellations. ... Sagitta, being Latin for Arrow, is the third-smallest of all constellations (only Equuleus and Crux are smaller). ... Sagittarius ( , and Latin for Archer) is a constellation of the zodiac, commonly depicted as a centaur drawing a bow. ... Scorpius ( , and Latin for scorpion) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations | Sculptor constellation ... Scutum (Latin for shield) is a small constellation. ... Serpens (the snake) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... For the Ancient Roman coin denomination, see sextans (coin). ... Taurus ( , Latin for bull) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Telescopium (Latin for Telescope) is a minor southern constellation identified and named by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, the 18th century French astronomer, a student of the southern skies. ... Triangulum is a small northern constellation whose three brightest stars, of third and fourth magnitude, form an elongated triangle. ... Triangulum Australe is a small southern constellation whose three brightest stars, of second and third magnitude, form an approximately equilateral triangle. ... Tucana (Latin for Toucan) is a southern constellation. ... Ursa Major (Ursa Maior in Latin) is a constellation visible throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations | Vela constellation | Argo Navis constellation ... See VIRGO (physics) for a French-Italian project in physics. ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations | Volans constellation ... Vulpecula, being Latin for Fox, is a faint northern constellation located in the middle of the Summer Triangle, an asterism consisting of the bright stars Deneb, Vega and Altair. ...

External links

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Ursa Minor

The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Ursa Minor Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Commons or Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ...