Ursa+Major

> Intrestingly, a number of North American tribes (Algonquin, Iroquois, Illinois, and Narragansett) also associated the constellation with a gigantic bear. > *Asterisms are sub or supersets of constellations which build a constellation itself, or a group of stars. > -Alpha Ursae Majoris > -Beta Ursae Majoris > -Gamma Ursae Majoris > -Delta Ursae Majoris > -Epsilon Ursae Majoris > -Zeta Ursae Majoris > -Eta Ursae Majoris > *These 7 stars are not moving in the same direction. Only over the past 50,000 years that this constellation has been discernable as a 'dipper'. Eventually these stars will seperate to skew the image of a 'dipper' > * In particular Alpha UMa (Alpha Ursae Majoris) is a yellow giant about 25 times the size of our sun and 86 light years away. > > This is a picture of Ursa Major. If you look hard you can spot the 'dipper' and possibly even the bear. > > http://www.physics.csbsju.edu/astro/constellations/images/ursa_major.gif > > Here it is with the lines drawn to make the "greater she-bear". > > http://www.physics.csbsju.edu/astro/constellations/images/ursa_major_l.gif >> Artemis gathered around her a number of young nymphs who reflected her own vows on chastity. She required complete fidelity of these women, one of them being Kallisto. >> Zeus seduced Kallisto, and when Artemis found her pregnant, she took revenge. Artemis loved the hunt, so she changed Kallisto into a bear and planned to have her hunted and killed. Zeus took pity on Kallisto and sent her to the heavens, thus the creation of Ursa Major. > -**Ursa Major can be seen year round > -In central Europe Ursa Major never touches the horizon > -Planetary Nebula: M97 > -Galaxies: M81, M82, M101, M108, and, M109 > -Double Star: M40 > -Meteor Showers: Alpha Ursa-Majoriden, Ursiden, Leoniden-Ursiden > **How To Find Ursa Major: > 1.** Go outside on a clear night when stars are visible > **2.** Find North > **3.** Look up and find the 'dipper' shape > You've just found Ursa Major! *Did you know you could also find Polaris(The North Star) using Ursa Major?* >> When I first learned that we were doing a project on constellations, I was excited to get started. Having the opportunity to explore like this was one of the many reasons I joined Earth Science. Personally I love to learn about and research the constellations, it has always been an unpursued passion of mine. >> The constellation I researched was Ursa Major. I learned the mythologies, asterisms, and much more associated with the constellation. I thought it was a very good project to do and I enjoyed doing it. If there was anything I could change about the project, I'd like to have time to do some deeper research. > http://www.dibonsmith.com/uma_con.htm > http://seds.org/Maps/Stars_en/Fig/ursamajor.html**
 * **Ursa Major**(Latin)
 * **Meaning-** "greater she-bear" **English**- "Great Bear"
 * **Asterism*-** 'The Big Dipper'
 * **Stars that make up 'The Big Dipper':**
 * **Below are some pictures of Ursa Major:**
 * **Mythology:**
 * According to Greek mythology, the daughter of King Lycaon, Kallisto, was chosen at a young age to be one of Artemis' companions. Artemis, sister to the sun god Apollo, prized her chastity above all else. She even asked Zeus for eternal virginity, which he granted.
 * **Points of Intrest:
 * **Location, Location:**
 * Self-Reflection:
 * Sources: