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The Big Dipper asterism consists of seven of the brightest stars in the night sky. Image credit: Ad_hominemShutterstockIn the world of astronomy, one fact remains clear: there's always more to discover. Thanks to enhanced telescope technology and a deeper understanding of our solar system, we're continuously unveiling new types of phenomena both far beyond our world and closer to home.
One thing that remains constant is the night sky above us: The stars that rotate overhead appear almost unchanged over the centuries. Humans have long relied on these stars for navigation and have created stories based on their patterns. Among the most prominent star groupings in the northern sky is the Big Dipper, made of seven bright stars, which carries a rich history and numerous names.
Whether you're just starting to explore astronomy or eager to dive deeper into one of the most recognizable star formations in the sky, the Big Dipper is the perfect place to begin. Even if you think you're already an expert on these stars, revisiting the basics can still reveal something new.
The Big Dipper: An Asterism in the Northern Night Sky
Although many people refer to the Big Dipper as a constellation, that's not its proper name. Instead, it is known as an "asterism," a notable arrangement of stars in the sky.
Some asterisms, like Orion's Belt, are contained entirely within a single constellation. Others, like the Summer Triangle, are made up of stars from multiple constellations, including Vega from Lyra, Deneb from Cygnus, and Altair from Aquila.
The Big Dipper resides entirely within the constellation Ursa Major, or the Great Bear. This constellation is especially prominent in the northern hemisphere and is a circumpolar constellation, meaning it constantly revolves around the North Star, Polaris, which shines brightly, though it's not the brightest star in the sky.
The Big Dipper is an ancient constellation known by various names across different cultures.
For centuries, people have looked to the skies and observed the Big Dipper. Its discovery or naming is not attributed to any single individual, as it has been recognized long before recorded history.
In North America, we refer to this group of stars as the Big Dipper, which resembles a ladle with a handle. However, other cultures have their own names for the constellation. In the UK, it's called the Plough, while in Germany, it's known as the Großer Wagen, or "Great Wagon." In Romania and other Slavic-speaking countries, it is also referred to as the "Great Wagon."
The Big Dipper consists of seven distinct stars: Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Alkaid, and Mizar.
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY SA 4.0)For the Samí people in the northern regions of Scandinavia, the Big Dipper is known as Fávdnadávgi ("Fávdna's bow") or simply dávggát ("the bow"), which connects to the legendary hunter Fávdna, represented by the star Arcturus.
In ancient Chinese astronomy, the Big Dipper was known as Beidou, or "northern dipper." Meanwhile, in the Philippines, it might be referred to as tabo, which is the name for the one-handled water container commonly found in Filipino households, often used for personal hygiene.
The names given to constellations often reflect the cultural significance they hold or the shapes they resemble. Many people adopt names for these star patterns that are familiar to them or linked to cultural myths and legends — this is the source of many constellation stories.
How to Spot the Big Dipper
To spot the Big Dipper, you need to be located in the northern hemisphere, north of the equator, with a clear view of the northern sky. The further north you are, the higher the Big Dipper will rise as night falls. All of its stars are visible at any time of night or year, as long as you have an unobstructed northern horizon.
Look for a group of four bright stars that form a near rectangle — these make up the "bowl" of the dipper. After spotting these, you'll need to find the stars that make up the "handle."
Remember that the Big Dipper's position changes with the seasons. Astronomers often use the phrase "spring up and fall down" to help identify where to look for it, as its orientation shifts throughout the year.
In the fall, the Big Dipper rests low on the horizon during the evening. By winter, its handle seems to dangle from the bowl. In spring, the constellation is flipped upside down, and in summer, the bowl tips and appears to pour toward the ground.
Have you ever noticed how some of the names of the stars in the Big Dipper sound unusual? That's because many stars in the night sky have Arabic names. When ancient Greek astronomical texts were translated into Arabic, those Arabic names became the ones we still use today for the stars, as Greek was no longer spoken or translatable.
