The constellation Ursa Major, also known as the Big Dipper, can be seen in the northern hemisphere of the sky. Its seven stars form a shape that resembles a ladle with a handle. The two brightest stars, Aliot and Dubhe, have an apparent sidereal magnitude of 1.8. By following the line from the two outermost stars (α and β), one can locate Polaris. The best time to observe this constellation is in March-April, and it is visible throughout Russia.
Asterisms
An asterism is a group of stars that form a recognizable pattern or shape within a larger constellation. While asterisms may be visible and easily identifiable, they are not officially recognized or named by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) like constellations are. Instead, asterisms are often referred to by their popular names given by astronomers or stargazers.
Some well-known asterisms include the Big Dipper (part of the Ursa Major constellation), the Summer Triangle (formed by the stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb), and Orion’s Belt (part of the Orion constellation). These asterisms are often used by amateur astronomers and navigators to locate other stars and objects in the night sky.
It is important to note that an asterism is different from a constellation. A constellation is an officially recognized area of the sky that is divided into specific regions. Constellations are used by astronomers to organize and map the night sky. Asterisms, on the other hand, are more informal and can be made up of stars from different constellations.
Another interpretation of the asterism can be seen in its alternative title The Catafalque and the Mourners. In this context, the asterism is likened to a funeral procession, with a leader at the front and mourners following behind, carrying funeral stretchers. This is why the star η in the Big Dipper is referred to as the “leader of the mourners”.
It is interesting to note that the 5 inner stars of the Big Dipper (excluding the outermost α and η) actually form a cohesive group in space. This group is known as the moving cluster of the Big Dipper and it moves quite rapidly across the sky. Over the course of about 100,000 years, the stars Dubhe and Benetnash move in the opposite direction, causing the shape of the Big Dipper to change significantly.
The stars Merak and Dubhe, which create the boundary of the Bucket, are known as the Pointers because the straight line connecting them leads to Polaris (located in the constellation of Ursa Minor). All of the stars in the Bucket have a brightness ranging from 2 to 3 stellar magnitudes.
Adjacent to Mizar, which was the second double star discovered through a telescope (G. Riccioli in 1650), a sharp-eyed observer can spot a 4 magnitude star called Alcor (80 of the Big Dipper), which translates to “forgotten” or “insignificant” in Arabic. It has been believed that the ability to discern Alcor has been a recognized test of visual acuity since ancient times. The pairing of Mizar and Alcor is often interpreted as the asterism “Horse and Rider.”
A celestial pattern known as The three leaps of the gazelle, which has its roots in Arabic culture, consists of three pairs of closely situated stars. These pairs are aligned in a straight line and are evenly spaced apart. This pattern is said to resemble the hoofprints of a gazelle as it jumps. The stars included in this pattern are:
Other celestial objects
In the region of the Big Dipper, there are numerous galaxies and galaxy clusters. One notable example is the spiral galaxy M 101, which appears flat. Additionally, the spiral galaxies M 81 and M 82, which are separated by an angle of only 38', form the central core of what could be the nearest group of galaxies to our own, located approximately 7 million light-years away. However, the Owl Nebula (M 97), a large planetary nebula, is much closer to us within our own Galaxy. Another interesting discovery in this region was made in 2002 by astronomers at the University of Texas at Arlington, who found two exoplanets orbiting the star 47 of the Big Dipper.
Background
The history of this constellation dates back to ancient times. It is believed that originally, it was only associated with the prominent asterism known as the Big Bucket. The ancient Greeks had various names for this constellation, including Helica (“shell”), Arctos (“bear”), and Chariot. Among these names, Arctos is considered to be the oldest and can be traced back to the time of hunting.
According to Greek authors like Aratus of Soli, who wrote “Apparitions and Predictions” in the 3rd century BC, this constellation was used by ancient Greeks for navigation purposes.
In Greek mythology, there are different stories that revolve around this constellation. One such story tells us that Zeus transformed the nymph Callisto into the Dipper to protect her from Hera’s vengeance. Another myth, shared by Philemon of Syracuse, recounts how Zeus turned two Cretan nymphs into Bears to hide them from Cronus. Later, he transported them to the sky, where they became the Big and Little Dippers.
In the realm of Chinese astrology, the collection of seven stars known as the dipper is referred to as the Northern Bucket, or Beidou. In ancient times, the handle of this celestial bucket was aligned closely with the pole, serving as a practical tool for timekeeping among the Chinese.
Engaging Tidbits
- The constellation of the Big Dipper is prominently displayed on the flag of Alaska.
- The flag of White Sea Karelia (approved June 21, 1918) showcases the constellation of the Big Dipper, featuring white stars set against a blue backdrop.
- The Hubble Deep Field image captures a region within the boundaries of the constellation of the Big Dipper.
The Big Dipper asterism (shown in green on this star map) is located within the constellation of the Big Dipper.
The Big Dipper (known as the Plow in the UK and Ireland) is a notable grouping of seven bright stars found within the constellation of the Big Dipper; six of these stars have a second sidereal magnitude, while one star, Merez (δ), has a third sidereal magnitude. Four stars form the “bowl” or “body” of the Big Dipper, while three stars form the “handle” or “head”. This constellation grouping is recognized in various cultures. By drawing an imaginary line through the front two stars of the Big Dipper, Merak (β) and Dubhe (α), one can locate Polaris (also known as the North Star) and the tip of the handle of the Little Bear (also known as Ursa Minor). This makes the Big Dipper useful for celestial navigation.
Monikers and Locations
The constellation known as the Big Dipper can be observed from Kauai.
The Big Dipper, also referred to as the Ursa Major constellation, has been interpreted as a bear, a wagon, or a dipper. The association with a bear can be traced back to Indo-European cultures, as it is found in both Greek and Vedic Indian traditions. However, it is worth noting that the bear symbolism has similarities in Siberian and North American folklore as well.
The moniker “Bear” has its roots in ancient Greece, as evidenced by its mention in Homer’s Iliad. In Book XVIII, he is referred to as “Bear, whom men also call Telega”. Interestingly, the Vayna tradition, which is of Mesopotamian origin, also associates the name with this celestial creature. In Latin, these seven stars were referred to as the Seven Bulls (septentriones, from septem triōnēs). According to classical Greek mythography, the “Bear” is none other than the nymph Callisto, who was transformed into a bear by Hera, Zeus’ jealous wife.
In Ireland and the United States, the traditional name for the pattern was the Plow (Irish: An Camchéachta – a curved plow), but it has now been largely replaced by the Big Dipper. The Star Plow symbol has been used as a political emblem by Irish Republican and left-wing movements. It was previously referred to as the Great Wain (i.e., wagon), Arthur’s Wain, or Butcher’s Cleaver. The terms Charles’s Wain and Charles his Wain are derived from the even older Carlswn. Some people believe that it came from Charlemagne, but the name is actually common to all Germanic languages, and the original reference was to churls (i.e., peasants) and their male carriage, as opposed to the female (Little Bear). These Scandinavian designations may have been preceded by the ancient “Odin”.
It is called the “Great Wagon” (Großer Wagen) in German and, to a lesser extent, “the Big Dipper” (Großer Bär). In Scandinavia, it is known as variations of “Karlsvognen” (Karlavagnen, Karlsvogna or Karlsvognen), but also as “The Big Dipper” (Stora Bjorn). In Dutch, its official name is “Big Bear” (Grote Beer), but it is commonly referred to as “Pot” (Steelpannetje). In Italian, it is also known as “The Great Van” (Grande Carro).
Romanian and most Slavic languages also refer to it as “The Great Wagon”. In Hungarian, it is commonly known as “Göncölszekér’s Wagon” (Göncölszekér) or, less frequently, “Great Göncöl” (Nagy Göncöl) after the táltos (shaman) in Hungarian mythology, who carries remedies capable of curing any illness. In Finnish, the figure is called Otava, with its etymology rooted in the ancient meaning of “salmon net”, although the word is also used to mean “bear” and “wheel”. The association with bears is said to come from their resemblance to the asterism and their mythical lineage, rather than the other way around.
In Lithuanian, the stars of the Big Dipper have the name Didieji Gržulo Ratai (“Big Back Wheels”). The constellation is also referred to as Perkuno Ratai (“Perkunas’ Wheels”), Kaushas (“Bucket”), Vežimas (“Carriage”), and Samtis (“Bucket”).
Hall of the Big Dipper in a Taoist temple, Wuhan
In the realm of traditional Chinese astronomy, which remains in use across East Asia (such as in astrology), these celestial bodies are generally regarded as constituting the Right Wall of the Purple Forbidden Fence, which encloses the Northern Celestial Pole. However, numerous other groupings and designations have emerged over the centuries. Similarly, each individual star possesses its own unique appellation, which has also evolved over time and depending on the specific asterism being constructed. The Western constellation is presently recognized as the “North Bear” (北斗) or the “Seven Stars of the North Bear” (in Chinese and Japanese: in Buddhism.
In Vietnam, the asterism is commonly referred to as “Sao Banh Lai Luong” (Big Rudder Stars), while Ursa Minor is known as “San Banh Lai Nhieu” (Small Rudder Stars). Although the everyday name has now been replaced by the Chinese-Vietnamese translation “B "c Đẩu”, many coastal communities in central and southern Vietnam still use the traditional name for navigation when their fishing boats return from the sea at night.
In Shinto belief, Amenominakanushi, the oldest and most powerful kami, is associated with the seven largest stars of the Big Dipper.
In Malay, the asterism is called the Boat Constellation (Buruj Biduk), while in Indonesian, it is known as the Canoe Stars (Bintang Biduk).
In the Burmese language, these stars are referred to as Pukwan Tara (ပုဇွန် တာ ရာ, pronounced “bazun taja.”) Pukwan (ပုဇွန်) is a general term used for crustaceans like shrimp, prawn, crab, lobster, and so on.
While its Western name is derived from the resemblance of its star pattern to a kitchen ladle, in Filipino culture, the Big Dipper and its constellation, the Little Dipper, are more commonly associated with the tabo, a one-handed water pot that was widely used in Filipino households and bathrooms for personal hygiene purposes.
In early Indian astronomy, the Big Dipper was referred to as the “Bear” (Ṛkṣa, ऋक्ष) in the Rigveda, but it later became better known as Saptarishi, meaning “Seven Sages”.
Stellar Objects
The stars located within the constellation of the Big Dipper are labeled using Bayer designations, following the sequential Greek alphabet, starting from the bowl and extending to the handle.
A photograph taken by a National Space Station intern captures the bowl of the Big Dipper and a portion of its handle, with Mizar and Alcor appearing at the top right.
Professor Chen Hualin captured an image of the Big Dipper in Dakawa, Morogoro, Tanzania at midnight on February 16, 2018.
| Dubhe | α UMa | 1.8 | 124 |
| Merak | β UMa | 2.4 | 79 |
| Phecda | γ UMa | 2.4 | 84 |
| Megrez | δ UMa | 3.3 | 81 |
| Aliot | ε UMa | 1.8 | 81 |
| Mitsar | ζ UMa | 2.1 | 78 |
| Alkaid | η UMa | 1.9 | 101 |
The brightness of the stars in the constellation Ursa Major is visually apparent. To get a better look, click on the image.
Located on the same line of sight as the star Mizar, but at a distance of about one light-year, is the star Alcair (80 UMa). Together, they are commonly referred to as the Horse and Rider. Alcor, with a magnitude of four, is usually visible to the naked eye, but its close proximity to Mizar makes it challenging to distinguish. As a result, it has been historically used as a visual test. Mizar itself is composed of four individual components and is part of an optical double system. It was the first double system to be observed using a telescope in 1617 and the first to be discovered through spectroscopic analysis in 1889.
This image provides a representation of the actual three-dimensional motion that will occur over a span of approximately -/+ 150,000 years. For optimal viewing, it is recommended to use red-blue glasses.
The Moving Group of the Big Dipper is centered around the five stars that make up the Big Dipper. However, the two outer stars, Dubhe and Alkaid, are not part of this group and are moving in different directions. In relation to the other five stars, Dubhe and Alkaid are moving downwards and to the right on the chart. As a result, the shape of the Big Dipper will slowly change over time. The bowl will open up and the handle will become more curved. In approximately 50,000 years, the Big Dipper will no longer exist in its current form. Instead, it will transform into a new version facing the opposite direction. The stars from Alqaida to Fekda will form the new bowl, while Fekda, Merak, and Dubhe will make up the handle.
Index Column
A comprehensive guide to using the Big Dipper constellation to locate Arcturus, Spica, and Polaris
Not only can the stars within the Big Dipper constellation be easily identified, but they can also serve as helpful indicators for locating other stars. Because of this, the Big Dipper is often used as a starting point for introducing newcomers in the Northern Hemisphere to the wonders of the night sky:
- Polaris, Polaris, Polaris can be found by drawing an imaginary line from Merak (β) to Dubhe (α) and extending it five times the distance between the two pointers.
- Extending the line from Megrez (δ) to Thekda (γ) within the bowl will lead you to Regulus (α Leonis) and Alphard (α Hydra). A helpful mnemonic for remembering this is “The hole in the bowl leaks to Leo.”
- The line extending from Thekda (γ) to Megrez (δ) leads to Tuban (α Draconis), which served as the North Star 4000 years ago.
- To go from Megrez (δ) to Dubhe (α), one must head towards Capella (α Ascendant). A helpful mnemonic for this is “Cap to Capella.”
- By drawing a diagonal line from Megrez (δ) to Merak (β) and extending it by about five times that distance, you can locate Castor (α Geminorum).
- If you follow the curve of the handle from Aliot (ε) to Mitsar (ζ) to Alkaid (η), you will arrive at Arcturus (α Boötis) and Spica (α Virginis). A helpful mnemonic for this is “Arc to Arcturus, then speed (or leap) to Spica.”
Furthermore, the Med can be used as a reference point for telescopic objects:
- The Hubble Deep Field’s approximate location can be determined by drawing a line from Thekda (γ) to Megrez (δ) and extending it the same distance.
- If you travel diagonally across the bowl from Thekda (γ) to Dubhe (α) and continue for a similar distance, you will come across the bright galaxies M81 and M82.
- Alkaid (η) is flanked by two impressive spiral galaxies – Vertushka (M101) to the north and Whirlpool (M51) to the south.
- By drawing a line from Alkaid (η) through Polaris, you will be directed towards Cassiopeia.
Cultural Connections
The “Star Plow” has been utilized by Irish nationalists and leftists.
The mention of the “Seven stars” in the Book of Amos in the Bible may be a reference to these stars or, more likely, to the Pleiades.
Furthermore, the asterism has also been featured in corporate logos and on the Alaskan flag. The seven stars on the red background of the flag of the Community of Madrid, Spain represent the stars of the asterism of the Big Dipper. The same can be said for the seven stars on the azure border of the coat of arms of Madrid, the capital of Spain.
The asterism in the northern night sky has influenced the use of the adjective “septentrional” (meaning “referring to the seven plows”) in Romance languages and English.
Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd is a traditional song from the African American community that was first published in 1928. The term “Drinkin’ Gourd” is believed to symbolize the Big Dipper constellation. According to folklore, enslaved individuals in the United States would use the Big Dipper as a navigational guide to help them escape to freedom in the North.
Related Links
- Star portal
- Astronomical portal
- Abenaki mythology
- Amenominakanushi
- Apkallu
- Saptarishi
- Seven Sages of Greece
- Swastika symbols
- Taidi
I believe that the importance of this subject will grow over time. The initial news may be limited, but it will take a while. However, my main hope is that this topic will bring people together rather than divide them. Let there be debates, but let them inspire us to contemplate our place in the universe as we gaze at the starry sky in the evening and think, “We are the offspring of the Milky Way.”)))))) Well, that’s all.
I’m afraid it all boils down to one question – who is this Musk person you’re talking about?
He’s a despicable scoundrel.
It just so happens that nowadays almost all space-related news is connected to him.
A BBC documentary highlighting the remarkable story of the first human spacewalk.
Let’s begin with this news. It’s understandable that foreigners are enthusiastic about Leonov: there were no equivalents to such an accomplishment in the world. It’s history, but it’s a fact.
Danich wrote(a): I’m concerned that everything will boil down to the question of who exactly this Musk person is.
He seems like a dishonest, despicable scumbag.
It just so happens that nowadays almost all news related to space revolves around him.
I’ve had a few encounters with UFOs. However, no one believes me.
Once, when I was a child of around 10 years old, and the second time about 7 years ago.
The most precise weapon of Russia is its television. It influences the mind even when it is absent.
Valerdos wrote: I’ve had a few encounters with UFOs. However, no one believes me.
Once, when I was a child of around 10 years old, and the second time about 7 years ago.
What leads you to believe you witnessed a UFO? I even have a recording. I might still have it, if you search around. The one from seven years ago.
When I was a child, of course, there is no evidence.
The most precise weapon in Russia is the television. It influences the mind even in its absence.
“UFOs” are manifestations of an alternate existence, not an “extraterrestrial” existence. And it has been exaggerated. Previously, “I saw such a thing. Believe it or not,” now every person has a phone, so only more filmed evidence should exist, and logically there should be a thousand times more!
And on the topic.
Well, the astronauts themselves claim that nobody goes anywhere (although he was able to say this after leaving the country), but no, Rogozin does not deceive us.
Halt the World – I Desire to Depart
Wow! It’s quite a challenging test of wits. “Space can be quite treacherous, don’t you think? Rockets and satellites supposedly plummeting down every now and then (resulting in billions of dollars in insurance claims, I presume). Here’s a question: how is it that astronauts seem to have such incredible luck that everything goes smoothly? When was the last time there were any casualties? Patsayev and Komarov are the ones that come to mind. Logical reasoning. Statistical analysis.”
Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
For the love of all that is holy, please exit this discussion.
We already have a discussion about flat earth, reptilian people, and so on, right next to it.
Let us, the misguided individuals, discuss here the alleged space journeys of the alleged astronauts.
Forgive us for having faith in science
P. S. I initially thought it would just be about Musk, but it’s far worse than that.
Wow, it’s like a rocket celebration.
I’m fine, I’m fine. Just chatting. Like spacecrafts cruising around the Bolshoi Theater.
It’s the reasoning that doesn’t function.)
Halt the World – I Desire to Exit
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