The big dipper

Constellation Ursa Major (ground-based image)

Beyond the 13 constellations associated with zodiac signs, there exist several other constellations, which, though not popular, are quite interesting in themselves. In fact, there are as many as 88 constellations in the sky and here are some interesting facts about them.

“I was looking at that,” she said, pointing to the Big Dipper. “See?” “Ursa Major,” he said. “The Great Bear.” “Odin’s Wain, they call it. And the Great Bear. Where we come from, we believe that is a, a thing, a, not a god, but like a god, a bad thing, chained up in those stars. If it escapes, it will eat the whole of everything. And there are three sisters who must watch the sky, all the day, all the night. If he escapes, the thing in the stars, the world is over." – Neil Gaiman, American…

Did you know that the Big Dipper is part of a big bear in the sky?

The Big Dipper is one of the most recognizable and easily found patterns of stars in the night sky and includes seven stars from Ursa Major.