The Big Dipper

Stargazing for the beginner.hunter. He was out hunting one day and saw the
Stargazing is an educational and interesting way tobear his mother had become. Callisto was so excited
spend our nights. If you are looking to start, here'sat seeing her son she had forgotten she was a bear,
some information that can help and inspire you whileand ran to him. Actas was just about to kill her,
observing. The Big Dipper, part of the Ursa Majorwhen Zeus, taking pity on the boy, changed him into
constellation, is the easiest to recognize in the nighta "Little Bear" and placed him in the sky next to his
sky. Ursa Major means "Big Bear" called that by ourmother, becoming the Big and Little Bear
ancestors. When viewing the Big Dipper it isconstellations. In the Latin language, Big Bear and
important to know it is made up of 7 stars. ThoseLittle Bear translates to Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
stars are:Most of us have to look hard to see any
1. Alkaidresemblance of a bear, but the names of the
2. Mizarconstellations came from the imaginations of our
3. Dubheancestors, not from a scientific standpoint.
4. MerakScientifically speaking, if planning on viewing The Big
5. AliothDipper and other constellations, make sure to have a
6. Phecdaplanisphere. A planisphere is defined as, "A star chart
7. Megrezthat can be adjusted to display the night sky for any
Alkaid (going from east to West of Big Dipper) is agiven latitude, time and date," by It will significantly
main sequence star (or dwarf), and not part of thehelp the starting out astronomer in finding
Ursa Major constellation.constellations.
Mizar, the second star, is the brightest star of the BigNext, make sure to be away from city lights. It is
Dipper, and a multiple star system. It has 2 doublebest to be in a dark area, such as a field, away from
stars Mizar A and Mizar B. Without a telescope,any lights that will prohibit sight.
another star can be seen right above it, a dwarf starAfter that is accomplished, set up the telescope for
called Alcor, which is not part of The Big Dipper.observing. Be patient and observe the stars. Relax.
Whether or not Alcor is Mizar's companion star is stillUse the planisphere as your guide for finding The Big
being speculated.Dipper. Once found; set your sights on finding the
Dubhe and Merak are called pointer stars becauseNorth Star, Sagittarius, and Little Dipper. With 88
they point towards the North Star (Polaris).constellations in the sky, you can now look forward
Alioth is the third star on the handle of The Bigto numerous nights stargazing.
Dipper, an Ap star, and the brightest of Ursa Major.Simply by looking upon The Big Dipper, our ancestors
Phecda, a main sequence star, is located on thecould ascertain the location of the North Star. With
bottom left of The Big Dipper.this significant knowledge, slaves in the Underground
Megrez is located on the upper left of the cup. It isRailroad utilized the Big Dipper for needed direction.
also a main sequence star.Uneducated, so consequentially illiterate, slaves before
Ursa Minor, known as The Little Dipper, is consideredthe Civil War would communicate through songs. The
to be the son of Ursa Major.Big Dipper was referred to as "The Drinking Gourd".
There are different variations in Greek mythology ofThe slaves disguised songs would convey
how Ursa Major and Ursa Minor becameinformation, telling other slaves to head north
constellations. One version is that the God, Zeus hadtowards Canada.
seduced a young maiden named Callisto. CallistoNext time we look upon The Big Dipper when we
became pregnant and had a son, Actas. Zeus' wife,are stargazing, let us appreciate the significance of
Hera, became so enraged when she found out, sheThe Big Dipper, and share our newfound knowledge
turned Callisto into a "Great Bear", to take away herwith someone else.
beauty. Callisto's son grew up to become a strong