How Do You View The Big Dipper?
The Big Dipper is one of the most famous constellations in the night sky. There is more to this formation than just the shape of the dipper. The dipper is a small part of the constellation Ursa Major or the Great Bear. Lines extend from every corner of the bowl to form the big bear. Go out under very dark skies with a star chart to view the entire formation. The dipper portion is obvious even with light pollution, but the rest of the formation requires less light to see. Find the dipper to start. The handle is actually the tail of the bear, while the bowl makes up the top half of the bear’s body. Legs extend from the bottom of the bowl closest to the handle. Use your star chart to put the Great Bear into place. The star named Muscida makes the point of the snout. Its name translates as “muzzle.” Forget the lines that make the bottom of the dipper bowl and the side of the bowl opposite the handle. These lines define the dipper, but don’t serve to draw the bear. Search for Messier Object
