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Ursa Minor (little dipper) Constellation -- Ursa Minor is a constellation in the northern sky, whose name means the "Lesser 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 effects of precession. Notable features Ursa Minor contains an asterism colloquially known as the "Little Dipper" because its brightest...

Ursa Major (big bear) Constellation -- Location: Northern Hemisphere; Coordinates: Right Ascension: 11h; Declination: +50; Source: Greek, Roman, and Native American mythology The constellation name, Ursa Major, means Big Bear. The "bear" association has its origins in two major civilizations which saw two very different bears in the sky. The Greeks who named this constellation (later translated into the Latin name we use today) thought that the stars outlined the shape of a bear walking...

Big Dipper Constellation (Ursa Major) -- Ursa Major is a constellation visible throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. Its name means "Great Bear" in Latin, and is derived from the legend of Callisto. Its seven brightest stars form a famous asterism known in the United States as the Big Dipper, because the major stars can be seen to follow the rough outline of a large ladle, or dipper. The Big Dipper is recognized as a grouping of stars in many cultures and eras. In the United...