* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download The Big Dipper Constellation
Orion (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Observational astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Canis Minor wikipedia , lookup
Aries (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Cygnus (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Perseus (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Aquarius (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Corona Australis wikipedia , lookup
Cassiopeia (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Timeline of astronomy wikipedia , lookup
H II region wikipedia , lookup
Stellar evolution wikipedia , lookup
Future of an expanding universe wikipedia , lookup
Corvus (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Stellar classification wikipedia , lookup
Astronomical spectroscopy wikipedia , lookup
Star catalogue wikipedia , lookup
Star formation wikipedia , lookup
Stellar kinematics wikipedia , lookup
The Big Dipper What is a Constellation? From very early times, man has been fascinated by the stars. Early stargazers began naming stars. They also noticed patterns of stars that appeared night after night in the sky. These patterns or groupings of stars are called constellations. They also began to name the constellation after animals or objects the group resembled. Many of the names are associated with Greek myths. There are now more than 80 constellations that can be seen form the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Big Dipper One of the most recognized groups of stars is the Big Dipper. It has also been called the plow and a wagon or cart. It is part of the constellation called Ursa Major or the Great Bear. According to the Greeks, the nymph Callisto was changed into the form of a bear and Zeus placed her in the heavens. Location The Big Dipper is consists of seven stars and is located in the Northern Hemisphere. Many times constellations are used to help astronomers locate other stars. The two stars on the outer edge of the cup of the dipper are used to locate the North Star. Throughout the ages, sailors have used The Big Dipper for navigating to the north. The Big Dipper was also used as a guide for the slaves traveling on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Songs referred to the Big Dipper as the drinking gourd.